Interstate Hotels & Resorts Appoints New Senior VP

Fernando Salazar, Interstate Hotels & Resorts

Interstate Hotels & Resorts, a U.S.-based international hotel management company, has named Fernando Salazar as new senior vice president of food and beverage. In his new position, Salazar will collaborate with market leading chefs and mixologists for menu development and culinary team training.

Before joining Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Salazar held top food and beverage positions at Westin Hotels & Resorts, Omni Hotels & Resorts and Helmsley Hotels in Manhattan. His most recent position was managing director at the Culinary Institute of America’s San Antonio campus. He is also the official ambassador of said institute.

“Fernando has challenged the norm for food and beverage, bringing new ideas and excitement to create truly differentiated experiences,” Mike Deitemeyer, president & CEO of Interstate Hotels & Resorts said in a prepared statement.

Salazar created the International Tapas competition that evolved into the World Tapas Competition held every year in Spain, as well as the International Black Truffles competition. He was honored with the Silver Plate Award as Hotel Operator of the Year and the Culinary Institute of America Gold Medal of Honor. Furthermore, he is the first non-Spaniard to be inducted into the Royal Academy of Spanish Gastronomy and he has been named the Universal Culinary Ambassador of Spain.

Image courtesy of Interstate Hotels & Resorts