Media Contact: Lori LaDu
29 March 2008
FRED TIBBITTS
& ASSOCIATES SIXTH ANNUAL
“A Spring
Evening at Singapore with very Special Friends”
Mandarin
Oriental, Singapore 27 March 2008
Singapore-The Sixth Annual FTA “A Spring Evening at
Singapore with very Special Friends” proved to be another memorable event for
sixty plus guests, who included hotel and restaurant executives, managing
directors, regional vice presidents, GMs, industry VIPs, press and sponsors.
The reception was Champagne Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial
and a choice of S. Pellegrino or Acqua Panna waters with an assortment of
delicious canapés and hors d’ouvres, many of which were prepared with the finest
crab meat from Phillips Foods Asia. All guests were formally announced and
chimed.
The five-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 ten Loyalty Toasts by the
embassy community and VIP’s, culminating with a final toast by two of the
region’s most respected Executive Chefs, Rudolf Muller of Hong Kong Disneyland
and Otto Weibel of the Swissotel The Stamford and the Fairmont.
Fred Tibbitts announced that a portion of the proceeds from
the FTA Spring Dinner at Singapore would be donated to the China Tibetan
Children’s Health and Education Fund. Presenting the FTA check was Marcelle
Alvarez, Vice President, Strategic & Business Development, Offshore Banking
Centre, HSBC Singapore; receiving the donation on behalf of Madame Annie S.C.
Wu, Honorary Chairman, was Andrew Jones, Guardian, Sanctuary Resorts.
The 2008 FTA Hospitality Award for Literary Excellence was
announced as going to LifeStyle (China) magazine by Cornell Nanyang Institute of
Hospitality Management Dean, Dr. Judy Siguaw. Dr. Siguaw indicated that Ricky
Xu, Editor in Chief of LifeStyle will accept the Award at the FTA Summer Dinner
at the Kempinski Beijing on 5 June. The Dean added that a $5,000.00 USD
scholarship in the name of LifeStyle would accompany the Award and be granted to
the Florida International University School of Tourism Management at the Tianjin
University of Commerce.
The menu, which was superbly crafted by Mandarin Oriental
Executive Chef Eric Teo and his culinary team, included Mosaic of Crab (donated
Phillips Foods Asia), Terrine of Green Asparagus; Cappuccino of Mushroom; Filet
of Tenderloin; Selection of gourmet cheeses and Espresso Tiramisu. The menu was
complimented by sixteen of the finest wines from Italy, Australia, New Zealand,
California and France with Cognac Hennessy VSOP providing the ultimate finish to
a perfect evening for all concerned.
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore Executive Assistant Manager,
Stefan Tornau summoned the Brigade as the dinner drew to a close to a standing
ovation from the room of thoroughly grateful Asian hospitality leaders.
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. |