NEW EXECUTIVE CHEF JOINS ROCHESTER AIRPORT MARRIOTT

Rochester, NY-The E.J. Del Monte Corporation announces Matthew O’Connor has joined the culinary team at the Rochester Airport Marriott as executive chef. He will be responsible for all kitchen operations at E.J.’s, the hotel’s restaurant, as well as all banquet events.

O'Connor’s 14 year career is highlighted by his work with some of the country’s top chefs and restaurants. Prior to joining Rochester Airport Marriott, he was executive chef at The Red Star, an upscale bar and restaurant in Baltimore, MD. He was banquet chef at The Willard Intercontinental Hotel in Washington D.C. and a sous chef at The Harbor Court Hotel in Baltimore, both Four Star and Four Diamond rated.

This past April he won second place in the 2009 Juenes des Commis Northeast Chef competition in Vermont. He was also a guest diner on season 5 of Bravo’s reality show Top Chef.

O’Connor, a Fairport resident, obtained his bachelor’s degree from the Culinary Institute of America. The Rochester Airport Marriott is located on Ridge Road West in Greece.

Founded in 1953, the E.J. Del Monte Corporation entered hotel construction and operation in 1974. Since that time, the E.J. Del Monte Corporation has added 17 Marriott hotels to its portfolio to include Marriott, Renaissance, Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott and Fairfield Inn by Marriott brands. Ernest J. Del Monte serves as Chairman of the Board and John Del Monte is president of the E.J. Del Monte Corporation which owns and operates nine Marriott hotels in the Rochester area, in addition to the Spa at the Del Monte in Pittsford. With its headquarters in Rochester, NY, the E.J. Del Monte Corporation employs over 800. For more information, visit www.ejdcorp.com.