Delectable Dishes to Return to the Roosevelt New Orleans as Hotel Welcomes Prominent Chefs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Carrie DeVries
504.558.1840
cdevries@theehrhardtgroup.com

DELECTABLE DISHES TO RETURN TO THE ROOSEVELT NEW OLREANS AS HOTEL WELCOMES PROMINENT CHEFS

NEW ORLEANS - June 11, 2009 - The smell of fresh morning pastries, desserts, the finest roasted meats and more soon will fill the air at The Roosevelt New Orleans, set to reopen June 25 as a Waldorf Astoria Collection property, thanks to the hiring of Stefan Kauth as executive chef and Robert Plouffe as executive pastry chef.

Kauth, a 25-year culinary veteran, enhanced his natural talents at a very young age while working at some of the world's finest restaurants. The German native attended school in his native country, where he received the prestigious German Master Chef certification, and most recently served as executive chef at the Renaissance Hotel in Las Vegas. His cooking philosophy is to serve the freshest product available and cook it to retain its true flavors and nutrients.

"A fine-dining experience should progress like a finely staged opera," Kauth said, "offering a beautifully orchestrated event which is ultimately a very personal and memorable experience."

His distinguished career includes more than 12 years in Germany with three of Europe's finest chefs as mentors. In 1997, Kauth showcased his extraordinary talents in America as chef de cuisine at The Ritz-Carlton in Palm Beach, Fla. From there, he held the executive chef position at the Stirling Club and at The Ritz-Carlton in Miami and was the banquet chef at the Paris Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Kauth has been honored for his creativity in the kitchen and has even cooked for Queen Elizabeth II and former German president Roman Herzog.

Plouffe also has spent time honing his culinary skills abroad, including Jamaica and the Virgin Islands. He most recently served as sous-chef at Hilton's Rose Hall Resorts and Country Club in Montego Bay, Jamaica. With more than 20 years of professional cooking, pastry and kitchen management experience, Plouffe is responsible for creating desserts and pastries from the freshest ingredients daily.

"The decision to make me a part of The Roosevelt team says to me that the hotel is dedicated to bringing back a fine-dining experience seasoned with culture and diversity," Plouffe said. "After all, what fine-dining experience is complete without a dessert that's both appealing to the eye and the pallet?"

A native of Canada, Plouffe earned a degree in culinary arts in Quebec but says it is his mother who inspired him to become a pastry chef.

"With a limited budget, my mother was always able to serve a meal that put a smile on everyone's face. That's what I will do at The Roosevelt."

The Roosevelt New Orleans will introduce three of its own dining venues. Located in the lobby of the hotel will be Teddy's Café and the Sazerac Restaurant and Bar. Teddy's Café will offer all-day light dining, including coffee, pastries, soups, salads, champagne and wine. The Sazerac Restaurant will be available to guests for breakfast, lunch, dinner and room service.

Located in the pool area will be the Pool Bar. Cool blended drinks and light fare will be served to guests on the rooftop of the hotel, overlooking downtown New Orleans.

When The Roosevelt New Orleans reopens, it will offer 504 guest accommodations, of which 135 will be suites, and nearly 60,000 square feet of meeting and event space, including the spacious 20,000-square-foot Roosevelt Ballroom, 12,000-square-foot Crescent City Ballroom and 7,000-square-foot Waldorf Astoria Ballroom, along with a total of 23 distinctive meeting and event rooms. The historic hotel, first opened as the Grunewald in 1893, once again will feature the famous Blue Room and the Sazerac Bar. For more information, visit: www.therooseveltneworleans.com.

About The Waldorf Astoria Collection ^(TM)
The Waldorf Astoria Collection is a distinctive group of unique luxury hotels from the Hilton Family of Hotels, each indigenous to its destination and situated in key cities around the world. Home to world leaders, royalty and society's elite, The Collection's elegant assortment of hotels and resorts aims to provide affluent travelers with authentic, luxury experiences and unlimited opportunities for discovery. The Waldorf Astoria Collection is a member of Hilton's Luxury and Lifestyle Brands along with Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Hotels & Resorts. For more information on The Waldorf Astoria Collection, please visit: waldorfastoriacollection.com.

###