Renaissance Charleston Hotel Appoints Chris Kelso as Executive Chef
New Menu at Wentworth Grill Debuts
OCTOBER 8, 2009 - Chris Kelso has been appointed Executive Chef at the Renaissance Charleston Hotel, it was announced by Kellie Newman, General Manager. Chef Kelso assumes responsibility for all hotel food and beverage operations including the Wentworth Grill, the Lobby Lounge, room service, and catering.
Born and raised in North Carolina, Chef Kelso's grandparents had a farm, and it was here that the young chef spent a lot of time and where he developed his appreciation for fresh produce and local seafood.
Chef Kelso furthered his appreciation for locally grown foods while working at G3 Cafe in Pinehurst. Prior to joining the Renaissance Charleston Hotel, Chef Kelso was Executive Chef at Aspen Wye River Conference Centers in Maryland, where kudos and praise were constant.
In homage to his Southern roots, Chef Kelso's style for the hotel's Wentworth Grill is upscale Southern cuisine utilizing the freshest produce and proteins that he can buy locally.
Chef Kelso's new menu for the Wentworth Grill debuts today, and features, in the chef's own description, "a break from conventional cuisine." The new menu features:
Mouth watering appetizers including Butternut Squash Soup; Fried Oysters with white cheddar-bacon grits and Texas pete vinaigrette; as well as Seared Duck Breast with wild rice cake, jalapeno-mango sausage and fig-muscadine compote.
Popular southern entrees with a twist include Signature Crab Cakes with arugula salad, red onion, blistered tomatoes and warm bacon vinaigrette; Pan Seared Halibut with cream corn and warm vegetable slaw; and Grilled Pork Chop with polenta waffle, apples, cranberries and apple cider-maple glaze.
Additionally, the restaurant makes its own desserts in house with a focus on simple but truly delicious flavors including Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie, Apple Tart, and Seasonal Bread Pudding.
The Wentworth Grill is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. For reservations, call 843-534-9054.
ABOUT THE RENAISSANCE CHARLESTON HOTEL
The Renaissance Charleston Hotel is the newest upscale property in the city's oldest Quarter. Visitors who want to immerse themselves in all there is to discover in Charleston - including shopping on King Street, taking in the Spoleto Festival, or strolling through the City Market - can then return to enjoy the contemporary, yet historic Charleston hotel decor that is regionally inspired with a modern twist. Vibrant themes of iron gates and formal gardens are incorporated into this downtown Charleston hotel, while lavish guestrooms boast new, luxurious bedding and furnishings, as well as enhanced technology including convenient connectivity panels and 32" flat screen HDTVs, and much more.
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