Grand Hyatt New York Director of Food and Beverage Becomes President of Les Amis D'Escoffier Foundation

James Dale Takes the Lead of Prominent Gastronomic Organization

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. March 10, 2016

NEW YORK, N.Y. March 10, 2016 - Grand Hyatt New York is pleased to announce the election of Director of Food & Beverage Director James Dale to president of the Les Amis d'Escoffier Foundation of New York for 2016. Les Amis is the nation's foremost fraternity of dedicated gastronomes. Membership consists of chefs de cuisine, hotel executives, restaurateurs and business executives.

"I am proud and honored to take on this role in this important organization" explains Dale. "I was first inducted into the foundation in early 2001 along with Chef Michael Lomanaco in a ceremony at Windows on the World and have always enjoyed the company and commitment of my fellow members."

Georges Auguste Escoffier was an iconic chef and culinary writer who was one of the most important leaders in the development of both French cuisine and restaurants as we now know them. "He is responsible for codifying the way that professional kitchens are set up today in terms of structure and brigades," explains Dale. "Even modern sanitation in the kitchen was introduced by him. He helped make cooking a respectable profession."

Les Amis d'Escoffier was founded in 1936 by a group of epicures, some of them former students of Escoffier. The group is dedicated to enhancing the art of fine dining by providing support and scholarships to students pursuing careers in culinary and hospitality. Over the past decade the Escoffier Foundation has given over $100,000 in scholarships to aspiring culinary students.

"As an industry we are better as a whole when we come together, but we don't always get that chance every day," comments Dale. “These dinners are a chance to break bread -- or truffles as the case may be -- with admirable colleagues from across the industry.” The meals range from traditional French to experimental contemporary and could stretch as far as BBQ. "It's about exploring and appreciating excellence across the board," says Dale. "I hope to be able to expose my Grand Hyatt New York team to this excellence as well."

With nearly 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry and 25 years with Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Dale's first position at Grand Hyatt New York was as a coffee shop greeter in 1986 and he has now been with the property for 23 years. Before taking over at the hotel's Director of Food & Beverage in 2014, Dale spent 16 years as Senior Director of Catering for Grand Hyatt New York, where he was directly responsible for seven catering managers and an overall food, beverage and room rental revenue of $40 million. During his time in this role, Dale received the Pritzker Award in 2011, the Director of the Year Award in 2006 and numerous Golden Key Awards. In addition to his positions at Grand Hyatt New York, Dale has also worked in other world-class hotels such as the Waldorf Astoria New York and Hyatt Regency in Greenwich, Connecticut.

About Grand Hyatt New York

With a premier location on 42nd Street between Park and Lexington Avenues, Grand Hyatt New York lies in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Attached to the legendary Grand Central Terminal, Grand Hyatt New York is just steps away from the city's best culture and attractions, including Times Square, Broadway, art, culinary experiences and world-class shopping. The hotel has 1,306 guest rooms, including 43 suites. The suites range in size from 600 to more than 3,500 square feet. The guest rooms feature the Hyatt “Grand Bed” and have large workspaces. Grand Club provides added luxury offering elevator key access, complimentary breakfast, afternoon snacks and evening hors d'oeuvres. Grand Hyatt New York is perfect for groups of any size. Boasting over 50 meeting rooms and 60,000 square feet of meeting space, the hotel can accommodate groups from 10 to 1,500 people.

About Grand Hyatt

Around the world, Grand Hyatt hotels unlock the extraordinary in every moment by creating experiences beyond expectation. Located at the crossroads of local culture and global business within major gateway cities and resort destinations, each Grand Hyatt hotel is uniquely designed to reflect its own distinct environment and provides a hub for travelers and locals alike. Grand Hyatt hotels exemplify the pursuit of life lived grandly offering guests superior service, first-class accommodations and an abundance of options within a multicultural backdrop of dramatic architecture and innovative design. Grand Hyatt properties boast inventive restaurants, luxury spas, fitness centers, and business and meeting facilities. Celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2015, the Grand Hyatt brand stands to make every moment memorable through their commitment to #LivingGrand every day. For additional information or to make a reservation, please visit www.grandhyatt.com.

Contact:
Emma Silverman
Eleven Six Public Relations
[email protected]
646-780-0159