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CIC grad named Chef of the Year

Culinary Institute of Canada graduate Chef Alexander Porter, Executive Chef of the Renaissance Boulder Suites at Flatiron in Broomfield, Colorado was recently named Executive Chef of the Year out of the 174 Renaissance brand hotels and resorts worldwide.

Chef Porter, who graduated from ÎçÒ¹av's Culinary Institute of Canada Culinary Arts program in 2002, started as a culinary intern at the Renaissance Boulder Suites in the spring of 2003. He said the high quality of the training at the culinary institute prepared him well for his career.

"I truly enjoyed my time at the Culinary Institute of Canada. The program sped up my learning curve significantly and once I entered the workforce it allowed me to advance much faster than my peers. The program at the Culinary Institute of Canada does not overload students with unnecessary information, long hours of theory, and little kitchen time like other courses I have seen. As students you receive an exceptional hands-on approach to learning. The finely tuned curriculum, delivered by their many talented chefs and teachers, allows for students who are internally motivated and have patience to be successful."

The Award of Culinary Excellence has been a cornerstone of the efforts to recognize and identify great chefs and culinarians in Marriott and Renaissance hotels. Started in 1998, this prestigious award recognizes the passionate efforts of chefs that have been instrumental in the culinary growth of the company.

"Chef Porter is an extremely self-motivated individual who demonstrates an exceptional ability to deliver outstanding results through the direction of his team and through his own individual hands-on efforts," stated Vice President, Food and Beverage/Procurement of White Lodging, Robert Fallon. "His passion for the guests and his associates can be seen in every encounter he has."
ÎçÒ¹av President Brian McMillan said Chef Porter is a fine example of the calibre of graduates from the Culinary Institute of Canada.

"We were thrilled to hear of Alex's award," he said recently. "He truly exemplifies the dedication, commitment, and talent of graduates from our culinary programs."

Criteria for this award include measurable improvement in overall dining, outstanding achievement in culinary excellence, creativity and innovation, training of others, leadership and personal development. Chef Porter demonstrates a strong commitment of excellence in all areas on a daily basis. He orchestrates imaginative offerings in FLATZ for their Sunday Champagne brunch, Thursdays' Jazz and Sushi Night and his legendary Winemaker Dinners in the hotel's wine cellar. Under his leadership and guidance, the Renaissance Boulder Suites at Flatiron hotel received the 2006 Food and Beverage Excellence Award - Best Overall as well as the 2006 Food and Beverage Excellence Award - Best Breakfast Overall. In his spare time, he contributes to numerous community affairs, cooking demonstrations and charitable events.

"Chef Porter is an innovative and passionate culinarian who consistently creates memorable experiences for his customers" states General Manager Dave Kennedy. "He has the ability to assume duties of greater responsibility and has unlimited potential."

For additional information on the Renaissance Boulder Suites at Flatiron and FLATZ restaurant, please visit their website at .

For more information about this release, please contact:
Sara Underwood, Media and Communications Officer
Tel: 902-566-9695
Date: Wednesday, September 26, 2007