Media Contact: Melanie Ramsey

11 September 2010

Fred Tibbitts & Associates Seventh Annual

“A Fall Evening at Shanghai with Very Special Friends”

Sheraton Shanghai Hongqiao

Thursday 9 September 2010

Shanghai – The Seventh Annual FTA “A Fall Evening at Shanghai with Very Special Friends” proved to be another memorable event for the one hundred-ten plus guests, who included hotel and restaurant executives, managing directors, regional vice presidents, GM’s, industry VIP’s, the entertainment press and our valued sponsors.

The reception was hosted by Pernod Ricard China and Moet Hennessy Diageo China with a variety of their most popular luxury cocktails, prepared to perfection by their celebrity mixologists and presented by their stylish hostesses; Caviar by Caviale provided the finest Caviar for many of the hors d’ouvres; Ronnefeldt Selected Teas offered delicious iced teas; and Acqua Panna & S. Pellegrino waters quenched the thirst of most everyone.  All guests were formally announced and gonged.

The opening of the dinner brought Fred Tibbitts to the podium, who welcomed the guests and spoke on “Service is the highest calling…” in these challenging economic times.  Fred then called for the twelve Loyalty Toasts by several of the dinner VIP’s, including Rahman Lal, Director of Food & Beverage, Sheraton Shanghai Hongqiao; Victor Ho, Regional Director, Food & Beverage, China & Taiwan, Starwood Hotels & Resorts; Andreas Ludwig, CFO-Greater China, InterContinental Hotels Group; David Shackleton, Director of Operations, East China, InterContinental Hotels Group; Alfonso Romero, Area Vice President, Sol Melia Group; The Marchese Fernando Frescobaldi, Presidente, Compangnia de Frescobaldi S.P.A.; Alex Avancini, Shanghai Bureau Chief, LifeStyle Magazine; A.J. Bellarosa, Executive Pastry Chef, Posto-Publico; Tommy Lam, resident, Asia Wine Institute; Ben Wu, Professor, College of Tourism Management, Fudan University-Shanghai; John Sciarrone, Vice President Global Accounts China, Ecolab; and Jean Luc Oosting, General Manager, Caviale Manufaktur; all accomplished with Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial from Moet Hennessy Diageo.

Fred Tibbitts then called forward Samuel Lee and Adam Chan, both Volunteers at the World Trade Centers Association Pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai to accept a donation from a portion of the dinner proceeds on behalf of Madame Annie S.C. Wu for UNICEF China.

The 2010 FTA Hospitality Award for Literary Excellence was announced as going to Richard Xu, Editor-in-Chief, New Western Cuisine (China) Magazine.  Xu took the podium to express his sincere appreciation for the recognition, saying that his most gifted and dedicated team at New Western Cuisine makes possible the excellence that is every issue of his magazine.  On 7 October Xu will be presented with his Award trophy and a scholarship in his name for $5,000.00 USD to benefit worthy students at The Culinary Institute of America at the 2010 FTA Fall Dinner at the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui.

The 2010 Hospitality Award for Excellence as an Operator-Asia Pacific was announced as going to Martin Rinck, President – Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide.  As Rinck could not be present, Victor de Vries, Director of Business Development, Hilton Shanghai took the podium on behalf of Rinck to express Rinck’s deep appreciation for the honors.  De Vries commented that Rinck is extremely popular and respected as a great leader by the entire Asia Pacific Hilton community.  On 7 October Rinck will be presented with his Award trophy and a scholarship in his name for $5,000.00 USD to benefit worthy students at The Chinese University of Hong Kong at the 2010 FTA Fall Dinner at the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui.

The 2010 FTA Hospitality Awards for Excellence as a Humanitarian were announced as going to Rudolf Muller, Executive Chef, Hong Kong Disneyland and Otto Weibel, Director of Kitchens, Swissotel the Stamford & Fairmont Singapore.  Muller took the podium to express his gratitude for the recognition and he detailed the personal dedication that was necessary for him to achieve his understanding of excellence and the importance of serving others who need a helping hand as they try to find their place in the industry.  As Weibel could not be present, he relayed the appreciation for the same recognition for his long-time colleague and friend, Otto Weibel.  On 7 October both Muller and Weibel will each be presented with their Award trophies and scholarships in each of their names for $5,000.00 USD each to benefit worthy students at the At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy of Singapore at the 2010 FTA Fall Dinner at the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui.

As the dinner drew to a close, Tibbitts called Rahman Lal, Director of Food & Beverage, the Sheraton Shanghai Hongqiao to the podium to “Summon the Brigade”.  Lal brought to the stage the entire thirty-seven members of the kitchen and service staff that prepared, supervised and served the dinner for a well-deserved standing ovation, led by Sheraton Shanghai Hongqiao Executive Chef Daniel Ng.

The dinner menu, which was paired with an FTA dinner’s record of twenty-four wines from around the world and with every course, began with Fresh Chilled Canadian Lobster, Shandong Seaweed Jelly and Truffle Dressing.  The Main Course followed with Roasted Australian Grain Fed Beef Fillet, Edamame Bean Puree and Glace de Viande.  The Cheese Flair was next, featuring Aged English Cheddar, Cured Iberico Gran Valle and Tomme De Savoie.  The Sweet Ronnefeldt Link of Madagascar Dark Chocolate Mousse, Glazed Apple in Black Tea Syrup, Ronnefeldt Jasmine Tea Snow Rice Dumpling and Hazelnut Chocolate Ganache concluded the meal, which was served with Ronnefeldt Selected Teas and coffee.  As at the reception that preceded the dinner, the guests enjoyed their choice of Acqua Panna and S. Pellegrino waters.

_______________________________________

Download high-resolutions versions of the photos below by
clicking on the photo name or the full set here: 10shanghaifall_mediapics.zip


Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Undefined constant "username" in /home/fredfol8/public_html/10shanghaifall/login_lang/en.php:3 Stack trace: #0 /home/fredfol8/public_html/10shanghaifall/config.php(37): include() #1 /home/fredfol8/public_html/10shanghaifall/10shanghaifallpress.php(207): include('/home/fredfol8/...') #2 {main} thrown in /home/fredfol8/public_html/10shanghaifall/login_lang/en.php on line 3