Media Contact: Lori LaDu

29 March 2008

FRED TIBBITTS & ASSOCIATES SIXTH ANNUAL

“A Spring Evening at Singapore with very Special Friends”

Mandarin Oriental, Singapore 27 March 2008

Singapore-The Sixth Annual FTA “A Spring Evening at Singapore with very Special Friends” proved to be another memorable event for sixty plus guests, who included hotel and restaurant executives, managing directors, regional vice presidents, GMs, industry VIPs, press and sponsors.

The reception was Champagne Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial and a choice of S. Pellegrino or Acqua Panna waters with an assortment of delicious canapés and hors d’ouvres, many of which were prepared with the finest crab meat from Phillips Foods Asia.  All guests were formally announced and chimed.

The five-course gala dinner brought Fred Tibbitts to the podium, who reminded the assembled hospitality industry elite that “Service is the highest calling”.  Fred then called for the ten Loyalty Toasts by the embassy community and VIP’s, culminating with a final toast by two of the region’s most respected Executive Chefs, Rudolf Muller of Hong Kong Disneyland and Otto Weibel of the Swissotel The Stamford and the Fairmont.

Fred Tibbitts announced that a portion of the proceeds from the FTA Spring Dinner at Singapore would be donated to the China Tibetan Children’s Health and Education Fund.  Presenting the FTA check was Marcelle Alvarez, Vice President, Strategic & Business Development, Offshore Banking Centre, HSBC Singapore; receiving the donation on behalf of Madame Annie S.C. Wu, Honorary Chairman, was Andrew Jones, Guardian, Sanctuary Resorts.

The 2008 FTA Hospitality Award for Literary Excellence was announced as going to LifeStyle (China) magazine by Cornell Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management Dean, Dr. Judy Siguaw.  Dr. Siguaw indicated that Ricky Xu, Editor in Chief of LifeStyle will accept the Award at the FTA Summer Dinner at the Kempinski Beijing on 5 June.  The Dean added that a $5,000.00 USD scholarship in the name of LifeStyle would accompany the Award and be granted to the Florida International University School of Tourism Management at the Tianjin University of Commerce.

The menu, which was superbly crafted by Mandarin Oriental Executive Chef Eric Teo and his culinary team, included Mosaic of Crab (donated Phillips Foods Asia), Terrine of Green Asparagus; Cappuccino of Mushroom; Filet of Tenderloin; Selection of gourmet cheeses and Espresso Tiramisu.  The menu was complimented by sixteen of the finest wines from Italy, Australia, New Zealand, California and France with Cognac Hennessy VSOP providing the ultimate finish to a perfect evening for all concerned.

Mandarin Oriental, Singapore Executive Assistant Manager, Stefan Tornau summoned the Brigade as the dinner drew to a close to a standing ovation from the room of thoroughly grateful Asian hospitality leaders.

Fred Tibbitts & Associates is the leading global wine, spirits and related services consulting agency for National Account chain hotels and restaurants and event management, based at Menands, New York with Asia Pacific offices at Bangkok, Thailand.