Chef Manfred LassahnThe Century Plaza’s Senior Executive Chef, Manfred Lassahn, takes home Hyatt Hotels Corporation’s 2011 Chef of the Year award. Starting as a sauté cook in Palo Alto, Chef Lassahn has a 28- year career with Hyatt that spans a variety of positions, thus providing his keen understanding of hotel food and beverage, banquet operations and customer service. His innovations include the development of Vines restaurant at the Hyatt Valencia, renowned for its seasonal menu changes and quarterly wine-pairing dinners. In addition to opening the Hyatt Valencia property, Lassahn has opened other high profile properties including: Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas; Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa; and the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa. Because of his impeccable track record of success, Lassahn was among those chosen to develop and manage Hyatt hotel’s fine dining standards and banquet servicing for the company. Lassahn’s commitment to driving brand preference via the culinary division is evident - constantly raising the bar, he and his team work hard to create a WOW experience and touch all of the hotel’s guests.