Young Chefs of the Southeast Best and Brightest of the Region's Culinary Stars to Shine at Atlanta Grill at The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta (Downtown)

ATLANTA, May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- A new program to host the most gifted and renowned young chefs from around the Southeast to showcase their cuisine at Atlanta Grill is announced by Bennett Hollberg, chef de cuisine. The chefs—all between the ages of 27 and 32—will appear at Atlanta Grill on selected dates throughout the summer, and will collaborate with Chef Hollberg to create a four-course dinner menu, with wine pairings recommended by Silvio Garcia, hotel sommelier.

"This is a unique opportunity for guests to meet the young chefs who are making an impact on the culinary scene now, and who will be leading the future dining experiences in the region," said Chef Hollberg. "We're excited to be working together, and guests are going to enjoy great dining experiences."

Adam Cooke, The Barn at Blackberry Farm, June 4-5

Chef Adam Cooke creates dishes with seasonal produce and herbs found in the Blackberry Farm gardens, fields and forests, ensuring a taste of East Tennessee in every course. Most recently, Chef Cooke—a recipient of  "Grand Chef" status by Relais & Chateaux—cooked at the James Beard House in New York, and was named one of The Mother Nature Network's "Top 40 Chefs under 40." Blackberry Farm's annual Food and Wine events are legendary, and the Farm is a world class culinary and travel destination. For information, please visit www.blackberryfarm.com.

Sue Zemanick, Gautreau's, New Orleans, June 25-26

A finalist for the James Beard Foundation's "Rising Star Chef" award in 2009 and 2010, Chef Zemanick's cuisine may be both down-to-earth and out-of this-world. She was named one of the "Top Ten Best New Chefs" by Food & Wine in 2009, as well as "Chef of the Year" by New Orleans Magazine. Gautreau's is renowned for its classic New Orleans flavors and largely French-inspired menu, and is consistently rated one of the "Top Ten Best Restaurants in New Orleans" by the Times-Picayune. For information, please visit www.gautreausrestaurant.com

Kelly English, Restaurant Iris, Memphis, August 20-21

Chef/Owner Kelly English brings endless passion to the guest experience at Restaurant Iris, considered by many to be the dining jewel of Memphis. Among his many recent awards and recognition, Chef English was a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation award "Best Chef of the Southeast" (2010); voted "Best Chef," "Best Restaurant" and "Best Service" by the readers of Memphis Magazine (2010) and named 'Best New Chef' by Food and Wine (2009). Restaurant Iris specializes in French-Creole cuisine featuring local and seasonal ingredients. For information, please visit www.restaurantiris.com.

Jeffrey McInnis, The DiLido Beach Club, The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, Sep 10 - 11

Chef McInnis routinely gathers accolades at South Beach's only oceanfront restaurant and lounge, but it is his appearance on Top Chef Season 5 that fuels the buzz surrounding his every move. A veteran of major culinary events, he has appeared at the Aspen Food and Wine Classic, New Orleans Food and Wine Experience, South Beach Wine and Food Festival and the New York Food and Wine Festival. His Sun Cuisine features dishes inspired by tastes from beach towns he's visited along the southern Mediterranean and North African coasts. For information, please visit www.ritzcarlton.com/southbeach.

The cost of the dinner is $85 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuities and exclusive of wines. Reservations are required and may be made by calling Atlanta Grill at 404-221-6550 or visiting www.opentable.com/atlanta-grill.

The Young Chefs of the Southeast Package, starts at $359* and includes:

• Deluxe guestroom for one evening
• Young Chefs dinner for two in Atlanta Grill
• Turndown amenity themed by the visiting chef
• Overnight valet parking

*Package is valid June 4, 5, 25, 26; August 20-21 and September 10-11, 2010; subject to availability and cannot be combined with any other offer. Advance reservations are required; rates do not apply to groups. Rates listed are per room, per night, single or double occupancy, and exclusive of taxes, gratuities and other charges unless otherwise noted.

Downtown's only AAA Five Diamond hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta is a luxurious oasis in the heart of the city. For information and reservations, please call 1-800-241-3333, the hotel at 404-659-0400, a travel professional or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/atlanta.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates 73 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe with future openings including Dubai International Financial Centre, United Arab Emirates; Shanghai, Pudong, China; and Kowloon, Hong Kong. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, which recognizes outstanding customer service. For more information, or reservations, contact a travel professional, call toll free in the U.S. 1-800-241-3333, or visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR)

Images available upon request

SOURCE The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta