|
Media Contact: Lori LaDu
15 May 2008
FRED TIBBITTS &
ASSOCIATES FIRST ANNUAL
“A Summer
Evening at Bangkok with very Special Friends”
The Westin
Grande Sukhumvit
Friday 13 June
2008
Bangkok-The First Annual FTA “A Summer Evening at Bangkok
with very Special Friends” proved to be another memorable event for the seventy
plus guests, who included hotel executives, managing directors, GMs, industry
VIPs, press and sponsors.
The reception was hosted by Diageo Moet Hennessy and
Brown-Forman with a variety of their most popular spirits prepared to perfection
by celebrity mixologists; Vittoria Waters and Phillips Foods Asia with an
assortment of delicious canapés and hors d’ouvres, prepared with their finest
crab meat. All guests were formally announced and gonged.
The four-course gala dinner brought Fred Tibbitts to the
podium, who reminded the assembled hospitality industry elite that “Service is
the highest calling”. Fred then called for The Venerable Khenpo Sonam Tobgyal
Rinpoche, Abbot and Spiritual Chairman of the Riwoche Tibetan Buddhist Temple
(Canada) to say the Buddhist Grace for the evening, much to everyone’s delight.
The Abbot chanted at length in Tibetan and explained in English his meaning.
Fred next called for the eight Loyalty Toasts by the
Bangkok embassy community and dinner VIP’s; all accomplished with none other
than Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial, courtesy of Moet Hennessy.
The 2008 FTA Hospitality Award for Literary Excellence was
announced as going to LifeStyle (China) magazine by Manat Chaisawat, Associate
Professor and MBA Director, Hospitality & Tourism Management, Prince of Songkla
University, Phuket Campus. Chaisawat indicated that Ricky Xu, Editor in Chief
of LifeStyle had accepted the Award at the FTA Summer Dinner at the Kempinski
Beijing on 5 June. Mr. Chaisawat added that a $5,000.00 USD scholarship in the
name of LifeStyle had accompanied the Award and was granted to the Florida
International University School of Tourism Management at the Tianjin University
of Commerce.
After the guests had continued enjoying their dinner, Fred
Tibbitts announced that a portion of the proceeds from the FTA Summer Dinner at
Bangkok would go to Hug Elephant Club (Chiang Mai, Thailand) and The Riwoche
Society of Canada. Tibbitts called forward Supasit Skontanarak, Assistant Vice
President-Premier Relationship Development, HSBC Bank, FTA’s global bankers to
present the FTA dinner donation to Anchalee Kalmapijit, President, Hug Elephant
Club. She announced that the donation would help with the birth of baby
elephants and that they are naming one “Fred”. Next, Tibbitts called forward
The Venerable Khenpo Sonam Tobgyal Rinpoche to accept the FTA dinner donation,
which was then presented by Skontanarak of HSBC. The Rinpoche explained that
the donation would help in the spread of “The Dharma” or spiritual teachings of
his Tibetan Buddhist order.
At the close of the cheese and wine service, Charles Jack,
General Manager, The Westin Grande Sukhumvit Summoned the Brigade to a standing
ovation. The service was flawless, the food and beverage the finest and a
feeling of warm, inviting hospitality filled the room.
The menu, which was superbly crafted by The Westin Grande
Sukhumvit, Executive Sous Chef, Pierre-Andre Hauss and his culinary team,
included Mango Dill Grain Flavored Phillips Crab Shingle; Mint Honey Cardamon
Tender Lamb Filo Jacket; Assiette de Fromage being Comte, Mimolette and Cheddar;
and a Dark, Milk and White Chocolate Chess for dessert. The menu was
complimented by eleven of the finest wines from Australia, Chile, Argentina, and
Thailand, personally paired for each course by Director of Food & Beverage,
John-Andrews Manley. If this was not enough, the guests were treated to
Glenmorangie Ten Years Old Single Malt Scotch with their dessert.
Fred Tibbitts & Associates is the leading global wine,
spirits and related services consulting agency for National Account chain hotels
and restaurants and event management, based at Menands, New York with Asia
Pacific offices at Bangkok, Thailand. |
