CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today the winner of the fifth-annual The Good Taste Series competition, a now-global culinary competition that celebrates Hyatt’s culinary talent and global cuisine. Sous Chef Christophe Scheller of Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome was named the winner by a panel of judges comprised of respected food and hospitality industry leaders, including Hyatt President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Hoplamazian. The culinary competition took place on Thursday, March 1, 2018, at Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, and challenged six chefs on a global stage representing three regions: the Americas, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), and ASPAC (Asia Pacific). Since 2014, The Good Taste Series competition has recognized Hyatt’s culinary talent in the Americas region, but now in its fifth year the competition has expanded globally.

“We are extremely proud of Chef Christophe Scheller from Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome, as well as all of our talented competitors, who proudly represented the superior culinary artistry of Hyatt hotels and resorts around the world,” said Colleen Kareti, vice president, operations - Americas, Hyatt. “The Good Taste Series supports our efforts to create a world of understanding through cultural exchange and food. This annual competition, which has grown from a regional competition to a global stage, recognizes and further develops our culinary talent, while reinforcing Hyatt’s commitment to food and beverage excellence.”

The Good Taste Series global finals required the six competing chefs to prepare two dishes incorporating four out of five of the items from a mystery box that was revealed two days prior to the competition. The mystery items included: short rib, duck, red snapper, quinoa, and chilies. Each plate was judged on taste, presentation, technique and authenticity. These six global competitors were winners of their respective The Good Taste Series regional competitions held in the fourth quarter of 2017.

The six competing chefs were:

Americas:

• Joaquin Estolano, Andaz West Hollywood
• Hunter Keels, Hyatt Regency Atlanta

EMEA:

• Christophe Scheller, Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome
• Jonas Wuestner, Hyatt Regency Cologne

ASPAC:

• Jack Jia, Park Hyatt Beijing
• Tomoya Sugizaki, Park Hyatt Tokyo

At the global finals, Chef Hunter Keels from Hyatt Regency Atlanta was awarded the bronze medal, Chef Joaquin Estolano from Andaz West Hollywood received the silver medal and ultimately, Chef Christophe Scheller from Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome earned the gold medal and received a cash prize for winning the global competition.

The Good Taste Series further brings to life Hyatt’s purpose to care for people so they can be their best, as well as the company’s rich legacy of food and beverage excellence. For such an occasion, a respected panel of judges was assembled, including:

• Mark Hoplamazian, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hyatt Hotels Corporation
• Fabio Viviani, Restaurateur and Culinary Personality
• Chef Helmut Holzer, Global Master Chef
• Fabiana Santana, Culinary Journalist
• Molly Tavoletti, Lifestyle Photographer
• Nick Neves, Private Chef and Culinary Blogger

The Good Taste Series culinary challenge took place at Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort and brought together the six competing chefs, additional Hyatt chefs and culinary executives, local and international media, and the following corporate sponsors of the event: Hormel, PepsiCo, Ken’s Foods, Sugar Foods, ATK Foods, Avendra, Ecolab, General Mills, and Oneida. Next year’s global finals will be hosted in ASPAC.

For more information about Hyatt’s global Food. Thoughtfully Sourced. Carefully Served. philosophy, visit: www.hyattfood.com.

The term “Hyatt” is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 14 premier brands. As of December 31, 2017, the Company's portfolio included more than 700 properties in more than 50 countries across six continents. The Company's purpose to care for people so they can be their best informs its business decisions and growth strategy and is intended to attract and retain top colleagues, build relationships with guests and create value for shareholders. The Company's subsidiaries develop, own, operate, manage, franchise, license or provide services to hotels, resorts, branded residences, vacation ownership properties, and fitness and spa locations, including under the Park Hyatt®, Miraval®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt®, Andaz®, Hyatt Centric®, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Ziva™, Hyatt Zilara™, Hyatt Residence Club® and exhale® brand names. For more information about Hyatt Hotels Corporation, please visit www.hyatt.com.

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