Media Contact:
Melanie Ramsey
7 June 2010
Fred Tibbitts & Associates Seventh Annual
“A Summer Evening at
Beijing with Very Special Friends”
Kempinski Hotel
Beijing
Lufthansa
Center
Thursday 3 June 2010
Beijing-The Seventh Annual
FTA “A Summer Evening at Beijing
with Very Special Friends” proved to be another memorable event for the
eighty-three guests, who included hotel and restaurant executives, managing
directors, regional general managers, general managers, industry VIPs,
performing artists, the entertainment press and our valued sponsors.
The reception was hosted by Diageo and William Grant & Sons
with a variety of their most popular luxury cocktails prepared to perfection by
their bartenders and presented by their stylish hostesses.
Moet Hennessy served Moet & Chandon Imperial; Ronnefeldt Selected Teas
their iced teas; and FIJI Water their pure water.
All guests were formally announced and gonged by Kempinski Internship
Trainee, Vincent Valerio and Management Trainee, Katharina Biedermann.
The four-course gala 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 ten “Loyalty Toasts” by several of the dinner VIP’s,
including Stephan Interthal, Richard Xu, Tina Gao, Zhang Run Gang, Nels Frye,
Siqing Lu, Dai Aiqun, Roland Steiner, Greg Peelman, Tommy Lam and Wenjun Wang.
Shortly thereafter, Tibbitts announced that a portion of the dinner
proceeds would be donated to UNICEF China.
Tibbitts presented the contribution to Dale Rutstein, Chief of
Communications, UNICEF Office for China,
who detailed the places and humanitarian projects in China that would benefit from the
donation.
The 2010 FTA Hospitality Award for Literary Excellence was
announced as going to Richard Xu, Editor-in-Chief of New Western Cuisine
Magazine. Tibbitts reviewed many of
Xu’s accomplishments and the reasons why he was selected to receive the
recognition. Xu then took the podium
to express his deep appreciation for the recognition, saying he looked forward
to receiving the Award and scholarship in his name at the 2010 FTA Fall Dinner
at the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui on 7 October.
The 2010 FTA Hospitality Award for Excellence as an
Operator-Asia Pacific was announced by Tibbitts as going to Martin Rinck,
President – Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide.
As Rinck could not be present, he asked Nils-Arne Schroeder, General
Manager, Hilton Beijing Wangfujung to come to the podium to accept his
recognition and make personal comments on Rinck’s respect within the Hilton
Worldwide community and their friendship, having served together in
Europe
for several years.
The 2010 FTA Hospitality Awards for Excellence as a
Humanitarian were announced by Tibbitts as going to Rudolf Muller, Executive
Chef, Hong Kong Disneyland and Otto Weibel, Director of Kitchens, Swissotel The
Stamford and Fairmont Singapore.
As neither Muller nor Weibel could be present, Tibbitts expressed his
personal observations on both honorees and the many reasons why they are
outstanding role models for caring for others and serving as great mentors for
hundreds of aspiring chefs and culinarians.
At the finish of the cheese and wine course, Stephan
Interthal, Managing Director of the
Kempinski
Hotel Beijing
Lufthansa
Center
was called to the podium by Tibbitts to “Summon the Brigade”.
Interthal brought forward to the stage the fifteen kitchen and service
staff who prepared and served the dinner for a well-deserved standing ovation.
Standing to Interthal’s left is Executive Chef, Thomas Laberer and to
Interthal’s right is Assistant Banquet Service Manager, Steven Yan.
The menu, which was superbly crafted by Kempinski Hotel
Beijing Lufthansa Center Executive Chef Thomas Laberer and his culinary team,
included Steamed Turbot with truffle cream and organic micro cress; Milk-Fed
Veal with Lemon-Manage Tout Risotto; Three Farm House Cheeses; and Bitter
Chocolate Olive Oil Truffle, Ronnefeldt Cream Orange Roibosh Tea Parfait and
Bell Pepper Raspberry Puree with Petit Fours to follow.
The First, Main
and Cheese courses course featured carefully-paired, premium wines from around
the world, while the Dessert was paired with Ronnefeldt Selected Teas, coffee
service on request.
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. |