Brendan Slaven, Executive Chef Glen Cove Mansion Wins National Copper Skillet

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. October 14, 2008

GLEN COVE, NY, February 9, 2006. Benchmark Hospitality International has announced that Brendan Slaven, executive chef at Glen Cove Mansion Hotel and Conference Center, has placed First in the United States' division of the international "Copper Skillet" culinary competition. The competition is hosted annually by the prestigious International Association of Conference Centers (IACC).

"Benchmark is extremely proud of Brendan's accomplishment in winning the US Copper Skillet competition," stated Bob Zappatelli, vice president, food & beverage, for Benchmark Hospitality. "Brendan is immensely talented and is on his way to becoming one of the greats in the culinary world."

Mr. Slaven is joined by First Place winners in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, which are countries where IACC has a significant membership presence. In April, all the winning chefs will compete in the international phase of the competition to be held at IACC's Annual Conference at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort of Colorado Springs, Colorado, a Benchmark Hospitality property.

The annual Copper Skillet Competition is designed to showcase the culinary artistry and skills of the best chefs at IACC-member hotels, resorts and conference centers globally. The international competition places the spotlight directly on the important contributions chefs make each day to ensure every person's experience - whether a guest in the restaurant or at the hotel or resort -- is the very best possible.

To join in the competition, chefs from each country submitted entries that included detailed menus as well as professional photography of plated dinners, banquets and buffets prepared by the chef. An independent panel of judges in each country evaluated all submissions according to set criteria and selected the top chefs for their respective country. All entries were judged on innovation, creativity, food synergy, menu presentation, creativity of table decor & food presentation, and combined visual impact. Brendan Slaven, winner of the United States competition, excelled in each area.

In the international phase of the Copper Skillet competition, Slaven and the other winning chefs will prepare a Provencal inspired dish for a panel of culinary experts in Colorado Springs. The winner of the international Copper Skillet competition will be named by IACC as "World Champion Chef of 2006."

About Executive Chef Brendan Slaven

Brendan Slaven is executive chef at Glen Cove Mansion Hotel and Conference Center of Glen Cove, Long Island, New York. Mr. Slaven was appointed to this position in 2003. A remarkably gifted culinary professional who launched his career at age 18, Slaven has cooked for Presidents, Heads of State, Diplomats and Ambassadors during his career.

Chef Slaven gained significant experience in the culinary arts while working at such renowned establishments as Daniel, located in Manhattan, and the signature hotel, the Waldorf=Astoria.

Slaven has also served as executive chef for major corporations, including Sony Entertainment and Lehman Brothers. He developed his love for the culinary arts working as chef at the The Swiss Tavern, a restaurant located in Lynbrook, New York, which was previously owned and operated by his family.

Mr. Slaven holds a culinary degree from the renowned Culinary Institute of America, located in Hyde Park, New York. He has received numerous honors for his culinary excellence, to which he now adds the US Copper Skillet Championship.