Swire Hotels Appoints Talib Hudda Chef for Sureño at The Opposite House, Beijing

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. February 09, 2017

BEIJING, CN. February 9, 2017 - Award-winning international chef Talib Hudda has taken over Sureño at The Opposite House, Beijing's acclaimed Mediterranean dining destination, and is reshaping the restaurant's culinary direction with a more refined, creative approach.

As part of this initiative, Chef Talib has completely revamped the menu at Sureño. Designed with Beijing's increasingly sophisticated dining landscape in mind, the new menu expands Sureño's culinary footprint across every corner of the Mediterranean region. Chef Talib uses creative combinations of flavours and textures to inject classic dishes with a subtle dose of innovation and present a fresh perspective, while retaining the wholesome flavours of this rich and well-loved cuisine.

Sureño will also be sourcing more of its key ingredients locally, proudly serving fresh seasonal produce from Beijing, including premium ingredients exclusively found at Sureño.

“Beijing is an exciting city to express my culinary creativity, because it has a deep respect for culinary traditions yet is hungry for new innovations. Beyond the restaurants, Beijing's passion for good food has also led local suppliers to produce ingredients of outstanding quality, which we're very excited to showcase in my new creations for Sureño,” says Chef Talib.

The Canadian-born chef has been passionate about cooking since early childhood, and started cooking with his grandmother at the tender age of six, and enrolling into culinary school when he was only 16 years old. He has since worked in acclaimed restaurants around the world, from The Pear Tree in Vancouver to Marchal in Copenhagen, where he helped the restaurant earn its first Michelin star. To broaden his culinary horizons, he also ventured to New York for short stints at the city's most famous eateries, Cafe Boulud and Eleven Madison Park.

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Chef Talib seized the opportunity to represent Canada at the most prestigious culinary competition in the world, the Bocuse d'Or in 2011. He also made his mark at the BC Team Hot Competition by the British Columbia Chefs Association, taking a team silver and team gold in 2009 and 2013, respectively.

Chef Talib first moved to Beijing when he was invited to become the executive chef at The Georg by Georg Jensen. Despite it being his first posting in Asia, he thrived in Beijing's booming fine dining scene and helped The Georg earn several prestigious accolades.

“We are very excited to welcome Chef Talib Hudda, who has a track record for innovation as well as a clear passion for excellence. Along with his many accolades and international pedigree, I believe Chef Talib brings with him an inspiring drive and vision that will lead Sureño's dedicated team to greater heights,” says Mark Passmore, General Manager of The Opposite House.

About The Opposite House

The Opposite House is located in Taikoo Li Sanlitun — a vibrant new open-plan shopping, dining and entertainment destination developed by Swire Properties. The hotel's 99 guest studios include 9 spacious suites and a penthouse duplex with a 240sqm roof terrace. More than half of all the studios are over 70sqm and all are strikingly simple with natural wooden floors and subtle touches of Chinese decor.

About Swire Hotels and Swire Restaurants

Swire Hotels has been created to manage soulfully individual hotels in Hong Kong, Mainland China and the USA, providing a characterful experience for well-travelled individually minded travellers who seek originality, style and personalised service. We create distinctive hotels with a sense of place that break with convention. The company's first hotel, The Opposite House in Beijing, opened in 2008 and was followed by The Upper House, Hong Kong, and then by EAST, Hong Kong and EAST, Beijing. The Temple House in Chengdu is opened in July 2015 and EAST, Miami opened in May 2016. A restaurant division was set up in 2013 to manage the company's stand-alone restaurant operations. Our first restaurant Plat du Jour opened in November 2013 followed by Public and Ground Public in Quarry Bay. The Continental in Pacific Place opened in October 2014 and Mr & Mrs Fox in Taikoo Place in 2015. Our latest addition, the second Plat du Jour opened in Pacific Place in January 2016.

About Taikoo Li Sanlitun

Taikoo Li Sanlitun, located at the center of Sanlitun, Chaoyang District in Beijing, comprising two sites Taikoo Li Sanlitun South and North, with a total floor area of over 136,000 sq m (approximately 1,47 million sq ft) *spreading over 19 creative and stylish buildings, including an award-winning urban hotel, The Opposite House. Taikoo Li Sanlitun was Swire Properties' first commercial property to open for business in the Mainland China in 2008, blending with fashion and trends, art and culture, shopping and dining. As the iconic fashion destination in Beijing, Taikoo Li Sanlitun offers more than 200 shops, combining the most creative young talents and globally renowned fashion brands, including I.T Beijing Market global flagship store, Miu Miu Asia flagship store, Alexander Wang Asia first flagship store, Alexander McQueen first store in China, Paul Smith first flagship store in Beijing, Christian Louboutin first boutique store in Beijing, Balenciaga Beijing flagship store, Montblanc global flagship store, Hollister biggest boutique store in Beijing, Asia's first Page One & The Woodhouse concept store, Marimekko first store in Beijing, Marc by Marc Jacobs concept store, Taiwanese fashion brand stayreal's first store in Beijing, adidas global brand centre, Apple's first store in China as well as a unique cultural entertainment space, The Orange, and parking for more than 880 cars. The retail portions of Taikoo Li Sanlitun and The Opposite House are both wholly owned by Swire Properties. Visit Taikoo Li Sanlitun's website at www.taikoolisanlitun.com. * Gross floor area excludes car park areas.