Media Contact:  Michelle Plew

24 October 2009

Fred Tibbitts & Associates Ninth Annual

“A Fall Evening at Hong Kong with Very Special Friends”

Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui

Thursday 22 October 2009

Hong Kong-The Ninth Annual FTA “A Fall Evening at Hong Kong with Very Special Friends” proved to be another memorable event for the eighty plus guests, who included hotel and restaurant executives, managing directors, group general managers, GMs, industry VIPs, the entertainment and reporting press and valued sponsors.

The reception was hosted by Diageo and Pernod Ricard with a variety of their most popular spirits drinks prepared to perfection by celebrity mixologists and presented by their stylish hostesses.  Moet Hennessy served Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, FIJI their Water, Phillips Foods Asia provided the finest crabmeat and “Suzy Sirloin” her USDA Prime Black Angus Sirloin for the Executive Chef Michael Donlevy’s brilliant assortment of delicious canapés and hors d’ouvres.  All guests were formally announced and chimed.

The opening of the dinner brought Fred Tibbitts to the podium, who welcomed the guests and spoke on “Service is the Highest Calling…” in these challenging economic times.  Fred then called for the eighteen “Loyalty Toasts” by several of the dinner VIP’s, including Xavier Pech, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui; Claudio Salgado, Director of Operations Planning, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific; Timothy Tong, President, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Kam-hon Lee, Director, School of Hotel & Tourism Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Krister Svensson, General Manager, W Hong Kong; Michael Nisky, General Manager, JW Marriott Hong Kong; Rudolf Muller, Executive Chef, Hong Kong Disneyland; Leo Ip, Area Vice President, Corporate Accounts, Ecolab; Natalie Chew, Senior Territory Management, General Business, IBM and Ambrose Cheung, Executive  Director, eSun Holdings, Ltd. .

Fred Tibbitts next called forward Betty Leung, a Representative of the China Tibetan Health & Education Fund to the podium and presented her with a donation of USD $500.00 from a portion of the dinner proceeds.  Leung expressed their gratitude for the generous contribution.

The 2009 FTA Hospitality Award for Excellence as an Operator Asia Pacific, once again, brought Tibbitts to the podium, where upon he announced that this Award had been presented to Martin B Jones, Vice President of Food & Beverage, Asia Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts at the recent FTA Fall Dinner at Shanghai on 10 September, as Jones could not be present for the Hong Kong dinner. Tibbitts then called forward Xavier Pech, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui, who read aloud a letter from Sue Brush, Senior Vice President, Westin Hotels & Resorts at their White Plains, New York World Headquarters, congratulating Jones on his being honored for his contributions to the hospitality industry.  Pech then outlined Jones’s background and accomplishments.

Tibbitts then called forward Kam-hon Lee, Director, School of Hotel & Tourism Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong to help him present the scholarships in Jones’s name to Winnie Che Hiu Man and John Wong Chung On, both students of the School of Hotel & Tourism Management at The Chinese University of Hong Kong.  The students thrilled the audience with their personal ambitions and unbounded enthusiasm.

The 2009 FTA Hospitality Award for Excellence as a Humanitarian was then announced by Tibbitts as going to Professor Poon Chung-kwong, President Emeritus, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.  Tibbitts outlined Professor Poon’s background, including his many humanitarian activities, in particular helping poor Chinese students attend The Hong Kong Polytechnic University to better their lives as well as their extended families on the China mainland.  Tibbitts next called forward James Lu, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Hotels Association to present the FTA Award trophy to Professor Poon.  Lu commented that he had known and worked with Professor Poon for over 15 years.  Professor Poon expressed his gratitude to one and all.  Then Tibbitts presented Professor Poon with USD $5,000.00 for scholarships, which he then immediately presented to Professor Timothy Tong, President, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

At the finish of the cheese and wine course, Pech was once more called to the podium by Tibbitts to “Summon the Brigade”.  To well-deserved, unanimous applause, Pech brought to the stage the entire kitchen and service staff of more than twenty-five who prepared and served the dinner, led by Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui Executive Chef, Michael Donlevy.

The dinner menu, which paired nine premium wines from around the world from Finca Los Nevados; Pernod Ricard’s Montana and Jacob’s Creek wineries; Diageo’s Sterling Vineyards; and Moet Hennessy’s Cape Mentelle and Terrazas de Los Andes with the first three courses; beginning with “Phillips” Jumbo Lump Crab, Tomato Fondue, Feves with Celery Leaves; followed by “Suzy Sirloin” USDA Prime Black Angus Sirloin Steak, Potato Mousseline, Seasonal Vegetables and Thyme Scented Beef Jus; and Cheese Course with Comte, Brie de Meaux, Bresse Blue warm Pumpkin Chutney and Raisin Bread baguette.  Dessert was “Ronnefeldt” Strawberries and Crispy Fruit Infused Chocolate Marquis, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Berry Compote with “Michael’s Cookies” and naturally a selection of the finest Ronnefeldt Selected Tea.  The guests lingered a bit longer, enjoying Ron Zacapa 23 Years Old.

Fred Tibbitts & Associates is the leading global wine, spirits and foodservice products & services consulting agency for National Account chain hotels and restaurants with offices at Menands, New York and Bangkok Thailand.