The Peninsula Chicago is pleased to announce the appointment of new Executive Chef Mike Wehrle, who joins the hotel on November 25, 2013 from The Peninsula Bangkok. Chef Wehrle will oversee all three Peninsula restaurant kitchens (Shanghai Terrace, The Lobby and Pierrot Gourmet), banquets and pastry kitchen operations. Also, the hotel will bid farewell to The Lobby Chef de Cuisine Lee Wolen, effective mid-December. Chef Wehrle will manage The Lobby kitchen operation until a new Chef de Cuisine for The Lobby is appointed. Chef Wehrle hails from Germany and brings with him over 15 years of experience in the culinary arts. Prior to his appointment to The Peninsula Bangkok, Chef Wehrle worked exclusively in Europe including Switzerland, England, Germany and France. Two restaurants where Chef Wehrle worked earned Michelin Stars, including Zirbelstube (One Michelin Star) at the Colombi Hotel in Germany and the Auberge de l’Ill (Three Michelin Stars) in France. Chef Wehrle returned to the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, Interlaken Switzerland to take over the famed La Terrasse restaurant as the Chef de Cuisine, which he held for three and a half years followed by a promotion to Executive Sous Chef in 2007. During this time he obtained a Federal Certificate of Higher Vocational Education and Training Executive Master Chef from the Hotel & Gastro Formation in Weggis, Switzerland. Chef Wehrle joined The Peninsula Bangkok in November 2008 as Executive Sous Chef and was promoted to Executive Chef in 2011. Wehrle’s philosophy of food stems from his principle of “back to basics” – a simplifying of ingredients, authentic tastes and contemporary presentations. “A satisfying dish should not be overwhelming, and should have a maximum of three or four components in order to keep the authentic flavour of the products used. Dishes should appeal to all of the senses,” says Wehrle. Chef Wehrle’s advice to aspiring chefs and amateurs: “Learning never stops, stay open-minded, keep hungry to improve yourself and keep passion in everything you do.” About The Peninsula Chicago The Peninsula Chicago is a Five Star, Five Diamond hotel located on the “Magnificent Mile” at 108 East Superior Street (at Michigan Avenue), within the city’s premier shopping district. The 339 guestroom hotel opened in 2001 and features three distinctive restaurants, a popular bar and a world-class spa. For information, please visit www.peninsula.com/chicago or call +1 (312) 337 2888 or toll-free at 1 866 288 8889. About The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH) Incorporated in 1866 and listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (00045), HSH is the holding company of a Group which is engaged in the ownership, development and management of prestigious hotel, commercial and residential properties in key locations in Asia, the United States and Europe, as well as the provision of transport, club management and other services. The hotel portfolio of the Group comprises The Peninsula Hotels in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, New York, Chicago, Beverly Hills, Bangkok and Manila; while The Peninsula Hotels in Paris and London are under construction. The property portfolio of the Group includes The Repulse Bay Complex, The Peak Tower and The Peak Tramways, St. John’s Building, The Landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and the Thai Country Club in Bangkok, Thailand. For further information, please contact: Ms Susan Ellefson Director of Public Relations The Peninsula Chicago 108 East Superior Street Chicago, IL 60611 Telephone: +1 (312) 573 6616 Fax: +1 (312) 573 6612 E-mail: susanellefson@peninsula.com Website: www.peninsula.com/chicago News Room: www.peninsula.com/chicago_newsroom Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThePeninsulaChicago Twitter: @ThePeninsulaChi Instagram: @ThePeninsulaChi Visit The Peninsula Hotels’ new News Room on www.peninsula.com/newsroom – press releases, images, broadcast quality video, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and more.
