Renaissance Hollywood Hotel Honored To Host Celebrity Chef Tour Benefiting The James Beard Foundation

    /24-7PressRelease/ - HOLLYWOOD, CA, October 11, 2007 - The James Beard House Foundation's Celebrity Chef Tour is making its way through Los Angeles, stopping at Twist Restaurant at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel with one of Food and Wine's Best New Chefs for 2007, Gavin Kaysen.

Slated for October 24, 2007, the dinner at acclaimed Twist Restaurant in Hollywood, California will feature a tasting of the best of this chef's playful yet traditionally masterful cuisine with beautifully paired wines and a festive setting.

In 2004, the Celebrity Chef Tour benefiting the James Beard Foundation was launched in Philadelphia. Since then, it has become a favorite for both the chefs and the guests.

Kaysen, a graduate of the New England Culinary Academy in Montpelier, Vermont, is a talented young culinarian who has packed a lot of fine cooking into his 28 years. Following his graduation from culinary school Kaysen headed for the Napa Valley where he worked under chef Robert Curry at Domaine Chandon. With a bit of experience under his belt, he set forth for Lausanne, Switzerland to work under chef Jacky Vuillet at Auberge de Lavaux.

In 2002, Kaysen returned to the United States and began working under chef de cuisine Patrick Ponsaty at El Bizcocho at the Rancho Bernardo Inn. In 2003, Kaysen won the National Trophy of Cuisine and Pastry. With this honor, Kaysen represented the United States at the International Trophy of Cuisine and Pastry in Paris. He finished first in the fish category and third overall in the world. Kaysen received the critics Best Chef Award from San Diego Magazine in 2004.

The evening at this exquisite Hollywood luxury hotel with the Celebrity Chef Tour will begin at 7:00 pm with a reception of passed hor d'oeuvres and wine. This first, passed course will wet the palette and give everyone a taste of things to come. After guests are seated they will be served the first of what are usually five to seven dilectible courses. Each course is paired with a bold wine from Fosters Estates, Beringer, Stags Leap, Greg Norman, and Wolf Blass Vineyards.

After three hours of succulent food and wine, the night concludes with the chef making his way to the dining room, usually to a standing ovation, to greet and answer guest's questions. Guests oftentimes even ask the chef to autograph a menu or empty bottle of wine.

The cost of a ticket to a Celebrity Chef Tour event is $150.00 per person with proceeds going to the James Beard Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and nurturing America's culinary heritage and diversity. The foundation provides scholarships and volunteer opportunities for aspiring culinary professionals, educating today's youth on the importance of good food and essential nutrition.

About the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel:
The ultra-stylish Renaissance Hotel in Hollywood, California is destined for fame as the premier luxury hotel in the movie-making capital of the world. Boasting sophisticated modern design and breathtaking views of Los Angeles and the Hollywood Hills, this dazzling Los Angeles hotel captures the legendary glamour of the city's illustrious past. Recognized as a renowned West Hollywood hotel, the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel features nearly 65,000-sq.-ft. of meeting space, a 3,500-sq.-ft. rooftop panorama hotel suite with 270° views and a stunning roof-top pool. As the cornerstone of the Hollywood & Highland retail and entertainment center, this Hollywood California hotel s location is among trend-setting shops, world-class restaurants, infamous landmarks, and state-of-the-art entertainment venues. Enjoy a hotel in Hollywood, CA steps from the Kodak Theatre, Grauman's Chinese Theater and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Experience the history and future of Hollywood at the exclusive Renaissance Hollywood Hills Hotel. For more information or to make a reservation call 323-856-1200 or visit http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/laxrh-renaissance-hollywood-hotel/.

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