Lodge at Vail Announces New F&B Team
NOVEMBER 19, 2007. The Lodge at Vail, A RockResort, announces the appointment of Food & Beverage Director Michael McPhie and Executive Chef Rahm Fama who add their gastronomic expertise to the signature AAA Four Diamond Award winning restaurant, The Wildflower, as well as the Tuscan-style dining venue, Cucina Rustica.
Michael McPhie brings 30 years of restaurant industry experience to The Lodge at Vail. His past two positions included serving as food & beverage director at The Equinox Resort in Vermont, and La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa in New Mexico, also A RockResort. During his tenure at La Posada, Fuego restaurant won several awards and recognitions, including the AAA Four-Diamond Award, the North American Restaurant Association Award of Excellence, and the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. McPhie's previous experience includes director of restaurants at The Salish Lodge and Spa in Washington.
Chef Rahm Fama, who has 11 years of fine dining experience, joins the lodge from fellow RockResort The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, where he was executive chef overseeing two restaurants, including the upscale dining venue Mirador. Prior to that, Chef Fama spent more than four years as executive chef of La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa, where he oversaw the award-winning Fuego restaurant, along with Michael McPhie. He began his career at The Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. He then moved on to Stratta's at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO, where he was chef de cuisine until March 2001, when he left to become the executive chef and general manager of both Sierra Grande Lodge and Spa and Raoul's in New Mexico and New York, respectively. Chef Fama was also invited to cook at the James Beard House in January 2006.
"We are thrilled to welcome these two culinary talents to our food and beverage leadership team," said Stan Engeldorf, general manager of The Lodge at Vail, A RockResort. "Their combined vision, talent and expertise will enhance the gastronomic experience for our guests."
The Wildflower is the only restaurant in the Vail Valley that is honored with both the AAA Four Diamond Award and Wine Spectator's "Best of Award of Excellence." The fine dining restaurant offers an eclectic array of American cuisine prepared with the freshest and finest in produce, seafood, and meats. Guests can also sample from an extensive list of wine selections from around the world. In winter months, Cucina Rustica serves up Italian comfort food each evening. The restaurant is also known for its hearty daily breakfast and skiers' lunch buffet offering fresh carved meats, homemade soups, and varied hot entrees. This coming season, McPhie and Chef Fama look forward to sourcing out the best and freshest ingredients available on the market. Artisan cheese will be featured in addition to a frequently changing chef's tasting menu to showcase the finest ingredients of the season.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
