Novotel Palmerston North Welcomes New Exec Chef

MEDIA RELEASE
18 April 2007

Novotel Palmerston North Welcomes New Executive Chef

Novotel Palmerston North has recently welcomed a new executive chef with a passion for creating memorable dining experiences for guests.

Now heading the Novotel's Nosh restaurant, Jason Dickson describes his style of cuisine as fresh and simple, with influences of both the traditional and Pacific Rim. This is mixed together with an enthusiasm for food and a desire for excellence:

"Food is like art for the palate and the eyes," he muses. "With that in mind, I'm very excited about working with the fine fresh produce available in New Zealand and from what I've seen so far it's going to be quite the gastronomic adventure."

Since his arrival, Jason has introduced a new autumn menu using many of the country's finest ingredients, which can be viewed at www.noshrestaurant.co.nz. The restaurant offers an a la carte menu from Sunday to Thursday and a buffet on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Jason has a strong career history with Accor Hotels and Resorts, having worked at numerous properties including Mercure Leichart, Mercure Resort Surfers Paradise, Grand Mercure on Swanson in Melbourne and Mercure Resort Great Keppel Island, where he was placed immediately prior to joining the Novotel Palmerston North team.

Australian born, the avid chef grew up in New South Wales as one of three children in a military family. He was first inspired to cook by his late Grandmother who "was always in the kitchen on the farm, baking and cooking for all the family and the station hands." After completing his education, Jason began an apprenticeship at a locally renowned French bistro. He then moved into hotels and has accumulated an impressive 20 years experience in the industry and has cooked for such guests as Sir Richard Branson, The Bee Gees and cricketer Allan Border.

Situated in the city centre, Novotel Palmerston North is just a few minutes walk from a range of shops, theatres, lively cafes, art galleries, the museum and the convention centre. The hotel incorporates a beautiful three storey heritage building built in 1927 and features 85 rooms with modern facilities, as well as conference rooms for up to 500 people.

Accor is the worldwide leader in hotels, tourism and corporate services, employing 160,000 people in 100 countries. . It offers to its individual and corporate clients nearly 40 years of expertise in its two core businesses:
- Hotels: over 4,000 hotels (475,000 rooms) in 90 countries (including 150 hotels and resorts in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific under the brands Sofitel, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, All Seasons, Ibis and Formule 1) as well as backpacker hostels, travel agencies, restaurants and casinos;
- Services to corporate clients and public institutions: 21 million people in 35 countries benefit from Accor Services' products – employee assistance programs, people care and services, incentive, loyalty programs, events, food vouchers.

ENDS

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