Cannes Luxury Hotel Chef Earns Kudos for Tasty Asparagus Creation

CANNES, FRANCE--(Marketwired - Apr 24, 2013) - Testing his skills against some of the finest talent to be found across Europe, Executive Chef Sebastien Klinhoff of the JW Marriott Cannes, a prominent five-star luxury hotel, emerged a winner in the European division of Marriott International's annual Asparagus Contest.

Drawing attention to the flavorful first buds of spring, the Marriott's competition stimulates creativity as chefs hone their skills in preparing much anticipated spring menus to include one of the country's most treasured veggies.

Competing against 88 other dishes, all uniquely prepared for the competition, Chef Sebastian's "Poached and Raw Asparagus Salad on Botarga Toast" was chosen as one of the top five entries. The impressive response from chefs throughout Europe for this tasty competition included all levels of talent with each of the top five winners honored with a certificate and cookbook from the Simons collection.

Chef Sebastian's creation mirrors the offering of delicious cuisine offered at restaurants inside the JW Marriott Cannes, where only the finest local ingredients, American beef and fresh seafood are served to those taking advantage of the hotel's fine dining opportunities. As home to the JW Grill Cannes, the lodging with its luxury suites and unsurpassed service is popular among world travelers and locals who appreciate exquisite steakhouse fare. Serving tantalizing menus amidst stunning indoor décor and featuring meticulous outdoor dining, meals also include remarkable Mediterranean waterfront views of the Bay of Cannes, Lerins Islands and the Esterel Mountains. The hotel also offers drink, meal and snack options from Le Panorama Rooftop Bar and a Lobby Bar Lounge.

Chef's Sebastian's "Poached and Raw Asparagus Salad on Botarga Toast" combines parboiled fresh green asparagus, roasted peanut malt vinaigrette, grana padano and borage blossoms to create a tasty dish with a crisp, bright green and clean appearance.

Other entries joining Chef Sebastian in the top five included:

• Salmon Rillettes, Asparagus Mousse, Mustard Sauce entered by Daniele Jantea of the JW Bucharest Marriott;
  
  
• Asparagus Cream Soup, Grilled Scallops entered by Konstantin Makrida of RHI Moscow;
  
  
• Asparagus Salad, Poached Egg, Veal Vinaigrette prepared by Jan Weisner of the Prague Marriott, and
  
  
• Asparagus, Morels, Quali Eggs, Prosciutto created by Nikolai Khvalinskyof the Courtyard Marriott St. Petersburg.
  
  

About the JW Marriott Cannes
The JW Marriott Cannes is an opulent five-star lodging conveniently located in the heart of one of France's most popular Mediterranean destinations. Pampering guests with an expansive selection of elegant accommodations, the hotel is located on the former site of the Palais des Festivals and features high-tech amenities and grand event space that make it a pivotal point for the annual Cannes International Film Festival and an outstanding year-round destination for vacationing families, business executives and spectacular events.

About JW Marriott
JW Marriott is part of Marriott International's luxury portfolio and consists of beautiful properties in gateway cities and distinctive resort locations around the world. These elegant hotels cater to today's sophisticated, self-assured travelers, offering them the quiet luxury they seek in a warmly authentic, relaxed atmosphere lacking in pretense. JW Marriott properties artfully provide highly crafted, anticipatory experiences that are reflective of their locale so that their guests have the time to focus on what is most important to them. Currently, there are 45 JW Marriott hotels in 19 countries; by 2013 the portfolio will encompass 73 properties in 28 countries.

About Marriott International
Marriott International is a leading lodging company with more than 3,400 lodging properties in 68 countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites Inn and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, The Ritz-Carlton Residences and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland USA, and had approximately 137,000 employees at 2009 yearend. It is recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the best companies to work for, and by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as Partner of the Year since 2004. In fiscal year 2009, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of nearly $11 billion. For more information, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com