Hong Kong, 2013-07-12 — /travelprnews.com/ — Richard Ekkebus, Culinary Director at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, and Dutch national, who oversees the cuisine and food and beverage operations of the hotel, has been honoured as the first Stichting Vakbekwaamheid Horeca (SVH) certified Master Chef to accomplish his exams in the air.
This is the highest level of professional recognition in the Dutch hospitality industry. The judging committee included SVH Master Chefs, Jonnie Boer, three-star Michelin Chef at De Librije and Onno Kokmeijer and two-star Michelin Chef at Ciel Bleu in Hotel Okura Amsterdam.
The Master Chef title was judged in two ways. Firstly through the successful accomplishment of the first class in-flight menu of KLM airways which included some of Chef Ekkebus’s famous signature dishes, including white asparagus with lobster served with an orange, carrot and mustard dressing and a dish of Dutch fillet of sole stuffed with North Sea crab served with a cauliflower confit and Opperdoes potatoes. The second part of the Master’s exam took place in Amber where Chef Ekkebus was assessed on more than 100 aspects of his craft.
Chef Ekkebus who oversees the hotel’s two-Michelin star Amber restaurant, was the youngest chef to win the prestigious Golden Chef’s Hat for “Young Chef of the Year” in Holland in 1990. The Master Chef honour means that The Landmark Mandarin Oriental is now the only hotel in the world to boast two Master Chefs – Richard Ekkebus, Culinary Director and Sidney Schutte, Executive Chef, who also achieved this award in 2006.
“It is a great honour to be qualified as one of the SVH-certified Master Chefs and to be accessed by some of the most respected Michelin-starred chefs in the industry. This is definitely a milestone in my career and motivates me to continue to improve my craft and to create exceptional dining experiences for my guests,” said Ekkebus.
Greg Liddell, General Manager of The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong said, “We are proud to be the only hotel in the world with two Master Chefs. Both Richard and Sidney continue to inspire our talented food and beverage team to deliver even more delightful dining experiences for our guests. In a city renowned throughout the world for its quality and variety of cuisine, Amber at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong continues to offer the best of modern French cuisine in an elegant and stylish setting.”
For reservations or further information, please telephone Amber on +852 2132 0066, e-mail: lmhkg-amber@mohg.com or visit www.amberhongkong.com.
ABOUT THE LANDMARK MANDARIN ORIENTAL, HONG KONG
Intimate, contemporary and ideally placed in the vortex of Hong Kong’s financial and luxury shopping districts, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong sets the standard for personal service and stylish sophistication. State-of-the-art technology compliments alluring interiors in all 113 spacious rooms and suites, each one a tranquil retreat for business and leisure travellers. Chef Richard Ekkebus helms the kitchen at two Michelin-starred Amber restaurant and world renowned musical talents play in the unparalleled exclusivity of MO Bar, equally popular on Sundays for its indulgent lobster lunch. Escape Hong Kong’s urban bustle at The Oriental Spa with rejuvenating Yoga and Pilates plus the pure pleasures of exclusive facials, body treatments and award winning Signature Treatments. For more information and reservations visit www.mandarinoriental.com/landmark.
ABOUT MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL GROUP
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most prestigious hotels and resorts. The Group now operates, or has under development, 45 hotels representing over 11,000 rooms in 27 countries, with 19 hotels in Asia, 12 in The Americas and 14 in Europe, Middle East and North Africa. In addition, the Group operates, or has under development, 14 Residences at Mandarin Oriental connected to its properties.
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HOTEL CONTACT
Jessica Chong
Director of Public Relations
+852 2132 0087
jessicac@mohg.com