Media Contact: Fred Tibbitts, Jr.       

fredbev@fredtibbitts.com

11 February 2012

The First Annual Fred Tibbitts & Associates

“A Winter Evening in Ho Chi Minh City with Very Special Friends”

InterContinental Asiana Saigon

Thursday 9 February 2012

Ho Chi Minh City.-The First Annual Fred Tibbitts & Associates “A Winter Evening in Ho Chi Minh City with Very Special Friends” proved to be a memorable event for the more than fifty guests, who included hotel executives, managing directors, regional general managers, general managers, hotel managers, directors of food & beverage and executive chefs, government officials, the press and valued sponsors.

The reception was hosted by Pernod Ricard Viet Nam and Treasury Wine Estates, whose luxury cocktails and premium wines beautifully complimented Executive Chef Rolando Manesco’s delicious canapés and hors d’ouvres.  All guests were formally announced with style and gonged with distinction by Gem Doornbos; Assistant Food & Beverage Manager.

The four-course gala dinner brought Fred Tibbitts to the podium, who welcomed the guests and asked that they consider “Service as the Highest Calling”.  Tibbitts explained that the primary purposes of the FTA dinners are to recognize hospitality excellence, provide scholarships in the names of those whom are honored and to make charitable contributions to benefit those less fortunate.  Tibbitts promptly called for the evening’s nine “Loyalty Toasts” with Champagne G. H. Mumm by some of the dinner seniors, including Thomas Schmelter, Regional General Manager, InterContinental Hotels Group, InterContinental Asiana Saigon; Pascal Caubo, Hotel Manager, InterContinental Asiana Saigon Hotel & Residences; La Quoc Khanh, Vice Director, People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Michael Golden, General Manager, Park Hyatt Saigon; Dr. Nguyen Quang, Country Programme Manager, UN-HABITAT Viet Nam; Jake Jacob, Regional Director-Asia Pacific, Gerard Bertrand Wines; John Sciarrone, Vice President, Global Accounts Asia Pacific, Institutional, Ecolab; Donald J C Lee, Associate Director, FoodClub/PHULU Co. Ltd.

After the guests enjoyed their elegant First Course of Crab Meat and Prawns Tian, Smashed Potatoes, Shallots and Tomato Dressing, Balsamic Drops paired with three delightful white wines from Marlborough, New Zealand, South Australia and the South of France, Tibbitts announced a donation of USD$500.00 from a portion of the dinner proceeds to UNICEF Viet Nam; as well as a donation of  USD$500.00 from a portion of the dinner proceeds to UN-HABITAT Viet Nam, which was gratefully accepted by Dr. Nguyen Quang, Country Programme Manager, UN-HABITAT Viet Nam.  Dr. Quang then addressed the guests to explain the meaningful work being accomplished by UN-HABITAT Viet Nam to upgrade the living conditions for many living in shanty’s and improving urban planning across Viet Nam to address the quality of life for those less fortunate.

Tibbitts returned to the podium after the Main Course of Pan Roasted Tenderloin, Foie Gras Sauce, Red Wine Reduction, Onion Compote, Carrot Puree with two great red wines from South Australia and the South of France to announce the Recipients of the 2012 FTA Hospitality Awards for Excellence, which will be presented at the 2012 FTA Fall Awards Dinners at The Langham, Hong Kong on 9 October and the Vanderbilt Suites in The MetLife Building at New York City on 13 November.

The Recipient of the 2012 FTA Hospitality Award for Excellence as an Operator-North America was announced as being Dan Hoffman, Director, Equipment & Beverage Specifications, Global Operations Services Food & Beverage, Marriott International.

The Recipient of the 2012 FTA Hospitality Award for Excellence as an Operator-Asia Pacific was announced as being A. Patrick Imbardelli, President & Chief Operating Officer, Pan Pacific Hotels Group.

The Recipient of the 2012 FTA Hospitality Award for Lifetime Excellence was announced as being Julia Stewart, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Dine Equity, Inc, (Parent company of Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants).

The Recipient of the 2012 FTA Hospitality Award for Excellence as an IT Innovator was announced as being CLK CLK, Inc.  Greg Demetri, CEO will be accepting at NYC in November.

The Recipient of the 2012 FTA Hospitality Award for Excellence as an Executive Recruiter & Human Resources Leader as being Benoit Gateau-Cumin, Chief Recruiting Officer, The Boutique Search Firm.

The Recipient of the 2012 FTA Hospitality Award for Excellence as a Humanitarian was announced as being Dr. Joan Clos, MD, Under Secretary-General and Executive Director, United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT).  Recognition was accepted by Dr. Nguyen Quang, Country Programme Manager, UN-HABITAT Viet Nam.

The Cheese Course followed, Mascarpone and Blue Cheese Terrine, Walnut Paste Camembert and Emmenthal Wedges, Pineapple, Mango and Ginger Compote, accompanied by two premium wines from South Australia.

Following the Dessert Course of Japanese Green Tea and Chocolate Cake, Vanilla Sauce with assorted Cookies, Tibbitts asked Thomas Schmelter to return to the podium to “Summon the Brigade”.  Schmelter’s summons was answered by resplendent parades of the kitchen staff who prepared the dinner, led by Executive Chef Rolando Manesco as well as the service staff that served the dinner led by Anders Hallden, Director of Food & Beverage.  Schmelter, Hallden and Manesco were then joined on stage by the combined staff of thirty associates for the Assembly of the Brigade, posing for a group picture to commemorate the occasion.

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Download high-resolutions versions of the photos below by
downloading the full set here: 12hcmwinter_mediapics.zip


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