La Torretta Lake Resort Names Two F+B Executives

Jason Weaver as Executive Chef and Michael Blaksteen as Director of F+B

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. December 10, 2010

CONROE, Texas - December, 2010 - La Torretta Lake Resort and Spa -- Houston's playground for families and friends where elegance meets adventure -- proudly announces Jason Weaver as the new executive chef and Michael Blaksteen as the new director of food & beverage. As part of the hotel's executive team, Weaver and Blaksteen will be responsible for providing a superior guest experience at all food and beverage touch points, including managing the menus and team members within hotel catering and at all nine dining outlets. Weaver and Blaksteen plan to increase resort use of local vendors, focusing on favorite Texas treats while layering in fine dining inspired by global cultures.

“Widely known for our famed restaurant Chez Roux and our exceptional event catering, La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa is thrilled to welcome Jason Weaver and Michael Blaksteen to an award-winning team,” said Rudy Sharp, general manager of La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa. “The addition of this dynamic duo of industry veterans will raise the La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa culinary savoir fair to a whole new level, and we are honored to provide revitalized culinary indulgences for our guests.”

Chef Jason Weaver has an extensive culinary background in the hospitality industry. Most recently, he served as executive chef for the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Las Vegas, and Texas foodies know Weaver from his days as executive chef at the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas, home of the legendary French Room. Weaver's other celebrated culinary ventures include executive chef at the Mandarin Oriental in New York, chef of Cafe Sambal at the Mandarin Oriental Miami, voted best lunchtime hotspot by the Food Network, and chef of The Grill at Ritz-Carlton in Dearborn, Mich., which was rated “One of the Top 10 Hotel Restaurants in the Country” by Conde Nast Traveler under his leadership.

Blaksteen's experience in the hospitality field spans 16 years, and he joins the La Torretta team from Makena Beach & Golf Resort in Makena, Hawaii, where he served as director of food and beverage. From high volume restaurants and hotels to cruise ships and high quality destination resorts, Blaksteen has held many other food and beverage positions throughout Hawaii, California and Germany. At La Torretta, his experience operating food & beverage departments with multiple outlets make him a natural team leader, bringing innovation and creative thinking to resort dining.

La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa all-suite resort is a playful retreat and charming city escape located on the natural shores of Lake Conroe just outside of downtown Houston. After a $130 million transformation, La Torretta entices guests with unmatched outdoor adventures as Houston's playground waiting to be discovered. Whether sport fishing and navigating a personal sailboat on Lake Conroe, floating down the lazy river at the Aqua Park, teeing off on the 18-hole golf course or catching fireflies , guests of all ages are engaged in building lifelong memories together. Balancing outdoor adventure with world-class sophistication, La Torretta features Texas' only Michelin-starred chef serving French delicacies at the water font Chez Roux restaurant as well as global spa treatments at the renowned SpaTerre.

For additional information or to book a stay at La Torretta Lake Resort & Spa, visit www.LaTorrettaLakeResort.com or call 936-448-4400.