Chef’s Choice Offers Diners Something Special

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10 September 2008

Chef’s Choice Offers Diners Something Special

Diners at Accor hotels throughout New Zealand are now being offered a very special range of dishes thanks to an innovative new training initiative.

The initiative is a win-win for both customers and the hotels’ more junior chefs, who are enjoying the opportunity to create new dishes that will be added to the restaurant’s menu as specials for a two week period.

Vice President for Accor New Zealand and Fiji, Paul Richardson, says the idea is part of Accor’s ongoing training of its restaurant teams, but with an unusual and enjoyable twist. “This competition is intended to create and reward an innovative and creative culture within our kitchen brigade while showcasing junior members and developing their talent.”

The scheme is run as a fortnightly competition, in which junior chefs are given the chance to create an entrée, main course and dessert, the best of which will make it onto the menu for two weeks. Diners will also be able to learn about which chef has prepared these dishes with a profile provided at the table.

So what’s on the menu? Amongst the latest creations is an entrée of Prawn Cocktail with Avocado Mousse followed by Dukkha-spiced lamb rump with caramelised shallots, green pea and potato mash with port wine jus and to finish a sticky date pudding with toffee sauce, hokey pokey ice cream and a vanilla tuile – created by 26 year old Zhou Song, Commis Chef at Vertigo

Hamish Beatson, Novotel Auckland Ellerslie Chef De Partie, has whipped up this delicious dish: entrée of classic French onion soup served with a crisp garlic bread stick, a main of apricot and almond stuffed chicken, served with a wild rocket and watercress citrus salad drizzled with a Pernod and orange glaze, and for a sweet treat delectable apple and nut spring rolls served with a coconut icecream with Baileys Irish Cream.

The Chef’s Choice option means restaurant guests will be able to experience different menus to compliment the current dinner offerings, while encouraging the talented chefs behind these delicious dishes.

Accor has 29 hotels throughout New Zealand – all hotels with restaurants serving dinner are participating in the programme, which ends on 31 October.

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