JQH John Q. Hammons Hotels

Anthony Caggiano Named Executive Chef at John Q. Hammons Hotels' Embassy Suites Hotel in Charleston, W.V. CHARLESTON, W.V., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Embassy Suites Hotel(R) Charleston proudly announces the arrival of New York native Anthony Caggiano as its new executive chef. With a passion for cuisine, Caggiano brings over 26 years of culinary experience to the food industry business, including an outstanding reputation and rave reviews of his signature dishes. The Embassy Suites Hotel Charleston is owned by Mr. John Q. Hammons and managed by John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. (AMEX:JQH), the nation's leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale, full-service hotels, resorts and suites. Before joining the staff at the Charleston hotel, Caggiano served as an executive sous chef for John Q. Hammons Hotels' Embassy Suites Hotel Raleigh- Durham Airport in Cary, N.C. In this role, he utilized his vast experience and skills to continually develop new and innovative ways to surpass clients' culinary expectations. "Having a world-class chef join our staff is undoubtedly a significant addition," said David Lang, general manager of the Embassy Suites Hotel Charleston. "Anthony's passion for his trade, coupled with his numerous accolades and awards, speak volumes of his talent. We're certain that he will make a lasting impression at our property and with our guests." About Anthony Caggiano Caggiano began his culinary career at the age of 14, under the apprenticeship of Italian immigrant Richard Franco. Continuing his career, Caggiano worked as a line cook specializing in continental cuisine at Grazio's Restaurant in the Wall Street area of lower Manhattan. Under the direction of Cecio Diano, executive chef, Caggiano quickly made a name for himself at Grazio's and was recognized for his signature dishes such as Veal Chop Valdostano, Swordfish Agro and world famous Tiramisu dessert. At the request of an executive from Goldman Sachs, Caggiano moved to Salt Lake City in 1987 to assist in opening a Northern Italian restaurant called Ferrentelli Restaurant and immediately made it one of the most sought after spots in the area. In 1989, Caggiano returned to New York City as the executive chef for Sirabella's Restaurant in Manhattan. In this position, he consistently received excellent reviews from The New York Times and Zagat Survey, America's leading guide to restaurants and hotels. These praises, along with Caggiano's continuous unique dish creations, quickly deemed the restaurant the unsung hero of small restaurants year after year. In 1996, Caggiano moved to North Carolina to work as executive chef for the Top of the Hill Restaurant in Chapel Hill, where he was named "New Star Chef in the Triangle." Under Caggiano's service, the hotel's restaurant also was named "Best Restaurant in Chapel Hill" for three consecutive years. Caggiano attends continuing education courses at the Culinary Institute of America to continuously strive to further enhance his knowledge to ensure the latest in culinary experiences are introduced to his clients. Embassy Suites Hotel Information Conveniently located at the junction of I-64, I-77 and I-79, the Embassy Suites Hotel Charleston is adjacent to the Charleston Town Center mall, just one block from the civic center and Charleston's Medical Center Hospital. The hotel's post-modern architecture and elegant interior welcomes and captivates visitors. Mornings at the hotel begin with a delicious, complimentary cooked- to-order breakfast. The hotel's sports bar and grill, The Athletic Club, offers lunch and dinner in a comfortable, inviting atmosphere. Steaks and tempting grilled entrees are among the specialties, making this a favorite spot for guests and residents alike. Visitors can also enjoy evening receptions amidst piano music in the property's lush nine-story atrium. The Embassy Suites Hotel Charleston offers 14,600 square feet of flexible meeting space and features 253 spacious guest suites with a variety of amenities for both business and leisure travelers, including a private bedroom and separate living, vanity and dressing areas with queen-size sofa sleeper, wet bar, refrigerator, microwave and coffeemaker. In addition, each suite provides two phone lines, voice mail and dataports, high-speed Internet access, two televisions with complimentary premium channels, as well as USA Today every weekday morning. Guests also can enjoy a state-of-the-art fitness center, 24-hour gift shop, corporate business center and a heated indoor pool, whirlpool and sauna. Company Information Publicly traded on the American Stock Exchange, Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels is the nation's leading independent builder, developer, owner and manager of upscale, full-service hotels, resorts and suites, including: Embassy Suites Hotels, Renaissance, Marriott, Radisson, Residence Inn, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Holiday Inn and Courtyard by Marriott brands. With 58 hotels strategically located near demand generators, such as state capitals, universities, airports, corporate headquarters or office parks in secondary and tertiary markets, John Q. Hammons Hotels' properties are dominant in their markets. The company's focus is capitalizing on positive operating fundamentals in the upscale, full-service sector, converting existing hotels to franchise brands and selling mature assets, while reinvesting the proceeds and reducing debt. Over the course of his impressive career in the hotel business, Mr. Hammons has developed 150 hotels. For more information about John Q. Hammons Hotels, please visit the company's Web site at http://www.jqhhotels.com/ . DATASOURCE: John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. CONTACT: David Lang of Embassy Suites Hotel Charleston, +1-304-720-5555, or ; or Melissa Conger, +1-972-628-7756, or , or Megan Crocker, +1-972-628-7761, or , both of Publicis Dialog, for John Q. Hammons Hotels, Inc. Web site: http://www.jqhhotels.com/

Copyright