Press

RISTORANTE CAVOUR'S RENATO DEPIRRO TO BE FEATURED AT LEGENDARY JAMES BEARD HOUSE, NEW YORK

11/17/2011

DePirro joins five other Benchmark Hospitality International Chefs  for Tour of Italy dinner

 HOUSTON, TX . . . .Considered one of Houston’s top Italian chefs and one of only 30 chefs in the United States to be honored as an Italian Cuisine Master Chef (ICMC) by the United States Office of the Academia Barilla,  Ristorante Cavour’s Tuscan-born Executive Chef Renato DePirro has been invited to cook at the storied James Beard House in New York City.

Chef DePirro will be joining five other Benchmark Hospitality International chefs who have designed a seven-course dinner entitled “A Tour of Italy with Fork, Knife and Glass,” that will take place Thursday, December 15th, 2011.  The featured chefs represent fine dining restaurants and luxury hotels and resorts operated by Benchmark Hospitality. 

According to Giorgi Di Lemis, vice president of food and beverage for Benchmark, the Tour of Italy dinner features seven distinctive Italian regions.  “Italy is the country of origin for select members of our 2011 James Beard culinary team and we’re excited to bring a bit of our heritage to New York and the prestigious James Beard House,” De Lemis said.

The “Tour of Italy” James Beard Dinner will begin with an hors d’oeuvres and wine reception at 7:00 p.m. on December 15th.  A seven-course chefs tasting menu will be served starting at 8:00 p.m.  Reservations can be arranged by calling the James Beard House at 212-627-2308.  Tickets are $130 per person for members of the James Beard Foundation and $170 per person for the general public. 

“We’re thrilled that Renato has been chosen to participate in this prestigious event, especially given his passion and respect for adhering to classic Italian traditions and cooking techniques,” said General Manager Mary Grace Gray.  “We’re very proud of Chef DePirro and we’re confident he and the Benchmark chefs will create a memorable and lasting impression with their Tour of Italy dinner.”

For additional information on Hotel Granduca and Ristorante Cavour please call 713-418-1000 or visit: www.granducahouston.com.

About Hotel Granduca

Managed by Benchmark Hospitality International and considered one of Houston’s premier, luxury boutique hotels, the Forbes Four Star Hotel Granduca is a member of Benchmark’s Personal Luxury Collection? and is the only member of the Leading Hotels of the World in Texas.  Hotel Granduca is also an exclusive member of Virtuoso Hotels & Resorts. 

Majestically situated in the heart of Houston’s Uptown Galleria area and built in 2006, Hotel Granduca offers 122 luxuriously appointed guest suites as well as the award-winning Ristorante Cavour.  The property features 5,000 square feet of exclusive meeting space, Bar Malatesta and an intimate outdoor veranda overlooking the courtyard pool.    For information or reservations, call 1-888-472-6382, or contact your travel professional.  Visit online at www.granducahouston.com.

Contacts

Carol Baetzel
CBPR Co.
cbaetzel@cbprco.com
602-931-5422