Little Palm Island Names New Executive Chef of The Dining Room

Noble House Announces Rolando Cruz-Taura as Executive Chef to the Dining Room at Little Palm Island

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. May 23, 2013

LITTLE TORCH KEY, FL - May 23, 2013 - Noble House Hotels & Resort and Little Palm Island Resort & Spa are thrilled to announce the appointment of Rolando “Roly” Cruz-Taura as Executive Chef to The Dining Room at Little Palm Island. Cruz-Taura most recently held the executive chef position at the Biltmore, where he oversaw the smooth functioning of all culinary operations throughout the hotel, especially Biltmore's world-famous Sunday Brunch.

“We're extremely excited to welcome another seasoned professional to Little Palm Island,” said Matt Trahan, regional managing director for the resort. “We're lucky to have Chef Roly join us and were looking forward to seeing what he is able to bring to the table at The Dining Room.”

The Dining Room, with its daily menu changes, is recognized as the No. 3 Best Hotel Dining in US by Zagat. Serving enticing and seasonally fresh fare, termed Modern Tropical Cuisine, The Dining Room plays host to a vibrant blend of French and Pan Latin flavors. Chef Luis Pous, the Noble House Hotel & Resort Corporate Chef, started his career at Little Palm and hand picked Cruz-Taura as the new executive chef for the originality and creativity he brings to his dishes.

During his time at the Biltmore, Cruz-Taura, a Certified Executive Chef and member of the American Culinary Federation actively enhanced and diversified the selection of cuisines offered by the resort. Little Palm Island is looking forward to him bringing his expertise and uniqueness to the menu at The Dining Room.

Born and raised in Miami, Chef Roly began his culinary training at Florida International University where he eventually graduated with a degree in Hospitality Management. Since the start of his culinary career at the InterContinental Hotel Miami (formerly The Pavilion,) Cruz-Taura held the position of Sous-Chef at Mark's in the Grove as well as numerous executive chef positions at notable establishments such as the Mayfair House Hotel, Shula's on the Beach, Kilinkere, Inc., which owns John Martin's and O'Caseys restaurants and the 8-unit seafood restaurant chain, Cami's.

Cruz-Taura acquired integral knowledge and experience of the culinary industry while traveling to Ireland on a culinary excursion. His passion and dedication to the culinary field eventually lead to the launch of his first solo act, FIFTY Restaurant & Lounge, in the SoFi district of South Beach. His cuisine offers classic American dishes, influenced by a variety of cultures and countries and has garnished outstanding reviews throughout the community.

Chef Roly has proven to be an expert in the culinary field and The Dining Room at Little Palm Island is excited to welcome him to the team. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, in the Lower Florida Keys, is located on a lush, 5.5 acre private island dotted with crushed seashell paths amid verdant tropical foliage. Each of the 15 spacious thatched-roof bungalows offer ocean views and plush interiors. The award-winning Dining Room at Little Palm Island delights guests with a vibrant blend of French and Pan-Latin cuisine and features an ever-evolving menu. The resort's signature spa, SpaTerre, incorporates the style and traditions of east and west cultures while promoting health, peace and relaxation through cross-cultural spa experiences.

For more information, call Little Palm Island Resort & Spa at 1-800-343-8567 or visit www.littlepalmisland.com. Little Palm Island is located at 28500 Overseas Highway, Little Torch Key, Fla. 33042

About Noble House Hotels & Resorts
Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Ltd., has been a privately held company for more than 30 years, originally founded in 1979 by owner Pat Colee as a commercial property development group. Officially transitioned in 1994, this Seattle, Wash. based company owns and manages a portfolio of 16 upper segment hotels and luxury resorts spanning the four coastal corners of America, including the newly refurbished Riviera Palm Springs in Calif., Little Palm Island Resort & Spa in the Florida Keys, The Edgewater in Seattle, Wash. and Hotel Viking in Newport, R.I. For more information or to book reservations, visit www.NobleHouseHotels.com.