Appointments & Promotions

Mission Inn Hotel & Spa Announces New Leadership Positions

Jorge Tostado appointed to vice president, HR; Loren Lawe appointed as executive chef

RIVERSIDE, CA - Janary 30, 2012 - The historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, a 238-room AAA Four Diamond property located in Inland Southern California, has promoted Loren Lawe to Executive Chef and Jorge Tostado to Vice President of Human Resources.

Lawe, who was first hired at the property in 2010, previously served as The Mission Inn’s Executive Sous Chef. In his new position as Executive Chef, Lawe will lead the culinary team at The Mission Inn with his distinctive blend of culinary expertise and oversee the hotel’s catering and dining venues including Duane’s Prime Steaks and Seafood, Inland Southern California’s only AAA Four-Diamond restaurant; the Mission Inn Restaurant; Las Campanas Mexican Cuisine & Cantina; and Bella Trattoria Italian Bistro.

“In his time at The Mission Inn, Loren has successfully managed four of the property’s dining venues and helped reconstruct restaurant menus for better efficiency while supporting banquets, private dinners and holiday events,” said Owners and Keepers of the Inn, Duane and Kelly Roberts. “He is sure to deliver exceptional dining experiences for our guests at the historic Mission Inn as Executive Chef.”

Prior to The Mission Inn, Lawe held a position at The Langham Huntington (formerly Ritz-Carlton, Huntington Hotel) in Pasadena, Calif. where he played many roles including Garde Manger Chef, Banquet Chef, Terrace Restaurant Chef and Acting Executive Sous Chef. Lawe attended the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco where he found a particular interest in Asian-inspired dishes and California bistro fare.

Since joining The Mission Inn in 2011, Tostado has significantly improved processes at the property in planning and directing programs for all human resource areas – from recruiting new talent, workplace safety and risk management, employee relations, compensation and benefits, and training and leadership development – resulting in a promotion from Corporate Director of Human Resources to Vice President of Human Resources.

“Jorge has proven himself to be a true asset to the hotel in fostering a culture of excellence at the historic Mission Inn,” said Duane and Kelly Roberts. “We are confident he will only increase value to our organization in his new position.”

An accomplished human resources executive, Tostado brings more than 22 years of relevant experience in counsel and improving processes to the historic Mission Inn. His professional experience includes property-level and regional roles in human resources at AAA Four Diamond Hotels including the Hilton San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf; the Claremont Hotel Club & Spa in Berkeley, Calif., Houston Marriott Westchase; Hilton Sonoma Wine Country; Sheraton San Diego, New Orleans Marriott Metairie, and more.

About The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
Originally opened in 1903, The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa incorporates design elements from throughout the southwestern United States, Mexico and several Mediterranean countries. Recently named a AAA Four Diamond Resort, the hotel features 238 guest rooms, including 27 suites, and four restaurants: Duane’s Prime Steaks and Seafood, Inland Southern California’s only AAA Four Diamond restaurant; Bella Trattoria, featuring cuisine from Southern Italy; Las Campanas Restaurant and Cantina, featuring gourmet Mexican cuisine in a beautiful al fresco garden setting; The Mission Inn Restaurant and Spanish Patio offering signature “Comfort Foods” from its new state-of-the-art display kitchen and romantic courtyard dining. In addition, The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa recently added a new wine bar, 54° at Duane’s and Casey’s Cupcakes. The hotel also offers Kelly’s Spa, a luxurious, European-style spa; a sparkling swimming pool and Jacuzzi surrounded by lush gardens; a fitness center; a historic museum; and access to championship golf, shopping and other recreational activities nearby. The hotel, which is situated on an entire city block of the quaint Mission Inn District of Riverside, Calif., is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a State of California Historic Landmark. For more information or reservations please call 1-800-843-7755 or go to www.missioninn.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Laura Pettitt | Kevinie Woo
Murphy O’Brien Public Relations
310-453-2539
lpettitt@murphyobrien.com | kwoo@murphyobrien.com

Sign up to receive more articles like this on the Hotel Newswire Daily Digest eNewsletter.