Washington Convention Center Authority and Centerplate/NBSE Welcome French Master...

Washington Convention Center Authority and Centerplate/NBSE Welcome French
Master Chef Philippe Chin to Its Culinary Team

WASHINGTON, June 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The Washington Convention Center Authority
(WCCA) and Centerplate/NBSE, the foodservice partner to North America's
premier convention centers, welcomed highly acclaimed Master Chef Philippe
Chin to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center at a special reception on
Thursday, June 25th. WCCA Board Members, business and hospitality leaders,
clients and community leaders had an opportunity to meet and greet with the
chef, who specializes in French-Asian fusion cuisine, and receive a
behind-the-scenes look into the Center's kitchen.

WCCA's CEO and General Manager Gregory A. O'Dell, Centerplate's CEO Des Hague
and Centerplate's Regional Vice President Erik Ferris gave brief remarks while
guests dined on caviar, roasted Muscovy duck roll, red chile crusted sea
scallops, beef tenderloin, herb roasted rack of lamb, smoked salmon, oysters,
boiled shrimp, and sushi.

"We're excited to have a master chef of such high caliber with credentials
unseen in a convention center," said Gregory A. O'Dell, WCCA CEO and general
manager. "Chef Chin brings extensive experience incorporating unique flavors
allowing us to offer diverse culinary creations as we continuously strive to
remain on the cutting edge in the convention industry."

"We are delighted to welcome Philippe Chin as the latest addition to our
network of culinary experts," said Des Hague, president and CEO of
Centerplate. "With the addition of Philippe -- a highly acclaimed master chef
with an unparalleled record -- we will continue to raise the bar by delivering
unmatched culinary innovation."

With over 30 years of experience in fine dining, Chin's resume includes a
number of highly regarded positions and honors beginning with his training at
the elite l'Ecole Hoteliere de Paris where he graduated among the top ten
students in his class. A nominee for the James Beard Foundation's Best Chef in
the Mid-Atlantic Award, Chin is also the youngest chef on record to be
accepted and inducted into the prestigious Maitres Cuisiniers de France.

Influenced by his Northern China roots and childhood in Paris, Chin has held a
number of highly regarded positions, serving as chef and owner of Chanterelles
in Philadelphia, PA; executive chef of Philippe on Locust in Philadelphia, PA;
and executive chef at The Partridge Inn in Augusta, GA.

Chef Chin oversees a team of four executive chefs, two sous chefs and over 60
other kitchen members crafting menus for the Center's upcoming special events
including the Association of the United States Army George Marshall Dinner,
the Congressional Black Caucus, Human Rights Campaign, and the Leukemia Ball.

About the Washington Convention Center Authority (WCCA)
The Washington Convention Center Authority was established for the purpose of
acquiring, constructing, equipping, maintaining, and operating a new
convention center in the District of Columbia. The Authority engages in
activities deemed appropriate to promote trade shows, conventions, and other
events closely related to activities of the Convention Center.

Since opening its doors in 2003, the 2.3-million-square-foot Walter E.
Washington Convention Center has proven to be essential to the economy of the
District of Columbia, generating nearly $400 million annually. For more
information about the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, call
202-249-3217 or visit www.dcconvention.com.

About Centerplate/NBSE
Centerplate crafts and delivers extraordinary entertainment experiences in
more than 140 prominent sports, entertainment and convention venues across
North America. Centerplate has provided services to Super Bowl XLII, the
Belmont Stakes, key events for the Democratic and Republican National
Conventions, the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, Art Basel Miami Beach,
and six official Presidential Inaugural Balls. Visit the company online at
www.centerplate.com.

SOURCE Washington Convention Center Authority

Chinyere Hubbard, +1-202-249-3217, chubbard@dcconvention.com; or Mia Herron,
+1-310-526-1340, mia@neighboragency.com, both for Washington Convention Center
Authority