El San Juan Resort & Casino Appoints New Executive Chef
Israel Calderon to Lead the Culinary Team at San Juan’s Iconic Hotel
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – March 5, 2013 - El San Juan Resort & Casino announces the appointment of Israel Calderon as executive chef. An award-winning chef, Calderon will oversee the resort’s culinary operation including the property managed restaurants - La Terraza, Acquaire, and Encanto Beach Club & Grill, the Lobby Bars, room service, catering and special events, always ensuring a consistent culinary experience for guests and diners.
“We are excited to welcome Chef Calderon to our team,” said Olivier Maumaire, general manager, El San Juan Resort & Casino. “His wealth of knowledge and creativity, combined with our ongoing commitment to providing exceptional dining experiences, will help drive our success even further.”
Calderon brings more than 20 years of experience to his position at El San Juan Resort & Casino. Since the ’90s, Calderon has built much of his reputation by working at renowned hotels such as Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre – executive chef; The San Juan Water & Beach Club – executive chef; Mundo Imperial – executive chef; Sheraton Old San Juan – executive chef; Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach– executive chef; Chicago Hilton and Towers – executive sous chef; and Caribe Hilton – executive cous chef.
Calderon has also had the opportunity to cook for many personalities, celebrities and dignitaries such as former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Denzel Washington, Richard Branson, Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, and India’s High Commissioner in Trinidad, Mr. Chandradath Singh. One of Calderon’s most memorable moments in his career was when he was invited to the White House by U.S. President Barrack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for the launch of Chefs Move to School. Chefs Move to School is a program dedicated to solving childhood obesity within a generation and is an integral part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” initiative.
“I feel privileged to be a part of the team at El San Juan team,” said Calderon.. “I’m eager to contribute my skills, passion for food, and expertise in executing my culinary concept for El San Juan Resort & Casino.”
With a style that can be described as both innovative and classic, Chef Calderon demonstrates a true passion for cooking and creating extraordinary dishes with simple ingredients. He takes great pride in the presentation of his creations and in using top quality products.
Calderon has studied at the Instituto de Educacion Universal in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., and the Culinary Business Academy in Albuquerque, N.M., as well as completed programs in Italy, France and Switzerland. Calderon is a “Certified Executive Chef” (CEC) and “Certified Culinary Administrator” (CCA) by the American Culinary Federation (ACF), the authority on cooking in America since 1929 and the largest professional chefs’ organization in North America.
Calderon is an active member of the American Culinary Federation (ACF), Chef and Child Organization and the World Association of Chefs Societies.
For more information on El San Juan Resort & Casino, please visit www.elsanjuanresort.com.
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CONTACTS:
Karla Visconti
Hilton Worldwide
+1 786 866 7240
karla.visconti@hilton.com
Jonathan Torres / Christine Luzano
Hospitality Marketing
+1 305 351 5533/ +1 305 351 5031
jtorres@h-mllc.com
cluzano@h-mllc.com
About El San Juan Resort & Casino Dramatically set on one ofPuerto Rico's most picturesque beaches, El San Juan Hotel & Casino has long been recognized as one of the leading hotels and casinos of theCaribbean, with 386 rooms and suites, a lively lobby experience with three sophisticated bars, an alluring pool and beachside experience, Encanto Beach Club. The hotel features impressive amenities including an extensive selection of dining and entertainment venues, a 16,500-square-foot casino and 35,000 square feet of versatile meeting and event space.
About Hilton Worldwide Hilton Worldwide is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 93 years, Hilton Worldwide has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,900 hotels and timeshare properties, with 650,000 rooms in 90 countries and territories and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. Visit www.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide,www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.
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