Jean-Georges Vongerichten to open First Restaurant in Canada at Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver

The Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver is to debut Market by Jean-Georges when it opens January 24, 2009. The restaurant is the first collaboration between Culinary Concepts – the global restaurant development company of Jean-Georges Vongerichten and longtime business partner Phil Suarez – and Shangri-La. It also marks the internationally acclaimed chef and entrepreneur’s first foray into Canada and on the West Coast.

Jean-Georges will adapt his popular ‘modern’ style – a reflection of his classic French training, his 10 years in Asia, and the Culinary Concepts’ philosophy of ‘global in reach, local in content’ – to tailor the Vancouver version of Market by Jean-Georges. His signature 'vibrant cuisine' abandons the traditional use of meat stocks, instead featuring intense flavors and textures resulting from the use of vegetable juices and fruit essences, light broths and herbal vinaigrettes.

“This is a tremendous collaboration of like-minded luxury brands that simply want to put the very best in food, wine and service in front of their guests,” said Stephen Darling, regional vice president and general manager, Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver. “British Columbia’s exceptional farm products, seafood and wines will garner further international exposure in the hands of one of the world’s great chefs.”

“Vancouver is a global dining destination,” added Jean-Georges. “It is a city rich in culinary influences and young talent. I am eager and excited to have the opportunity to use the wealth of produce and products, especially the fish, available in the Vancouver area.”

Market by Jean-Georges will serve lunch and dinner and have four distinct areas: the dining room with seating for 84, including two private dining rooms, one with a table for eight and the other for 12; the more casual bistro accommodating 36; the 60-seat outdoor terrace, which will be open spring through fall; and the bar with ‘musical chair’ seating for 29.

Culinary Concepts and Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver will work together to assemble a team of culinary talent that will include members of the Culinary Concepts’ brigade, Shangri-La specialists and a strong contingent of locally hired restaurant professionals.

The addition of Market by Jean-Georges heightens the anticipation for the January opening of the Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver, the first North American hotel for the Asian-based luxury group, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts. The 119-room hotel, set in the downtown core, will occupy the first 15 floors of a 61-storey multi-purpose complex, incorporating innovative residential living, high-end retail shopping, creative restaurants and an outside public art space.

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