Montage Hotels & Resorts Names Craig Strong Executive Chef of Studio at Montage Laguna...

Montage Hotels & Resorts Names Craig Strong Executive Chef of Studio at
Montage Laguna Beach

Awarding-winning Chef Known for Modern American Cuisine with Mediterranean
Influences Takes Helm of Orange County Resort's Mobil Five Star Signature
Restaurant In June

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif., May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Montage Hotels & Resorts today
announced the appointment of Craig Strong as Executive Chef of Studio, the
Mobil Five Star signature restaurant at Montage Laguna Beach, the company's
flagship oceanfront resort. Strong joins Studio in June following an
award-winning eight years as Chef de Cuisine at The Dining Room at The
Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa (formerly Ritz-Carlton) in Pasadena, Calif.
Among the many accolades achieved during his tenure are Michelin star ratings
for 2007 and 2008 and Strong himself named as a semifinalist for Best
Chef/Pacific in the 2009 James Beard Foundation Awards.

"Studio has been instrumental in showcasing our company's passion and
innovative approach to the culinary arts and we're pleased to select Craig
Strong to head the culinary team," said Alan J. Fuerstman, Founder and CEO,
Montage Hotels & Resorts.

"We conducted an extensive nationwide search and firmly believe Craig's
inspired culinary talents and personable leadership style will prove to be a
great fit for Studio," said James Bermingham, Managing Director of Montage
Laguna Beach. "Craig joins a passionate and talented team in Laguna Beach and
I look forward to delighting guests and area residents with this exciting next
chapter in the evolution of Studio."

Perched at the edge of a bluff overlooking the Pacific, Studio opened in 2003
to critical acclaim under Executive Chef James Boyce, who resigned earlier
this year. The craftsman-style restaurant is celebrated for comfortably
elegant evenings devoted to fine food and impeccable service. Options include
ever-changing a la carte selections, tasting menus and private dinners at the
exclusive Chef's Table. All dishes are crafted from the freshest seasonal
organic and artisanal ingredients and are paired with wines from the resort's
extensive cellars.

"I've always loved Laguna Beach and long-admired Studio. It's a dream come
true to join Montage as Studio's Executive Chef," said Strong. "I've been very
fortunate in my career and this next step is no exception. The Montage
commitment to memorable culinary experiences and the enjoyment of fine wine in
comfortable surroundings mirrors my own philosophy. I look forward to an
exciting future with this culinary-focused company and their great Studio
team."

Strong, known for his modern American cuisine that combines Mediterranean
influences with classic French technique, developed a love for cooking at an
early age. At age 19, he attended L'Academie de Cuisine near Washington,
D.C., and then went on to hold culinary positions in Utah, Washington, D.C.
and Philadelphia. In 1995, he joined The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead in Atlanta,
where Chef Joel Antunes' classically trained French background added an
international dimension to Strong's style. He then moved to Europe as Sous
Chef for The Newport Room at the Hotel Arts in Barcelona. Working in Spain led
Strong to embrace the bold flavors and rustic style of Spanish cuisine, adding
the refinement of French techniques.

Strong returned to his native Southern California as Chef de Cuisine at what
is now The Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa's Dining Room in Pasadena. During
his eight-year tenure, the Dining Room became one of Los Angeles' top
destination dining venues and a showcase for his love of pairing fine food
with wine. Among many accolades the restaurant received were Gourmet Magazine
"60 World's Best Hotel Dining Rooms," Los Angeles Times 3 Star Rating, Food &
Wine "50 Best Hotel Restaurants" and California Homes Magazine "#1 Hotel
Restaurant." Strong was named runner-up Chef of the Year by Angeleno Magazine.

About Montage Laguna Beach
Montage Laguna Beach, set on a coastal bluff overlooking the Pacific in the
heart of the vibrant arts community of Laguna Beach, offers 30 acres of
oceanfront luxury. The 250-room craftsman-style resort features beachfront
accommodations; a 20,000-square-foot spa; destination dining at Studio; a
wealth of outdoor recreation, including three pools, beach and water sports; a
fine art collection; and more than 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor
meeting space. For information and reservations, please contact Montage Laguna
Beach toll-free, at 1-888-715-6700; or visit the Web site at
www.montagelagunabeach.com.

About Montage Hotels & Resorts
Montage Hotels & Resorts is a hotel and resort management company founded in
2002 by Alan Fuerstman. Designed to serve affluent travelers and homeowners,
the company features an artistic collection of distinctive hotels, resorts and
residences in stunning settings that offer comfortable elegance, a unique
sense of place and spirit, impeccable hospitality and memorable culinary, spa
and lifestyle experiences. Montage Laguna Beach, the company's flagship
oceanfront resort, opened in the vibrant arts community of Laguna Beach,
California, in 2003. Montage Beverly Hills, the company's second hotel, opened
in Beverly Hills in 2008 and is the first Gold LEED certified hotel and
residences in Southern California. Other properties under development include
Montage Deer Valley(R) in Park City, Utah, scheduled to open in 2010, and an
oceanfront resort and residences with championship golf course coming soon in
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. www.montagehotels.com.

SOURCE Montage Hotels & Resorts

Kacey Spies-Bruno, Director of Public Relations of Montage Hotels & Resorts,
+1-949-715-6116, kbruno@montagehotels.com; or Babs Harrison of Sheila Donnelly
& Associates, +1-212-851-8425, babs@sheiladonnelly.com, for Montage Hotels &
Resorts