Townsend Hires New Executive Chef

BIRMINGHAM, Mich., August 17, 2008- Following a national search, The Townsend Hotel has recruited Jim Bologna as its new executive chef. Bologna will be responsible for overseeing every culinary experience offered by the Townsend, including the award winning Rugby Grille, the Townsend Bakery, Townsend Catering and a recognized nighttime hotspot, The Corner.

Bologna was most recently the executive chef at Holiday Catering, a high-end off-premise catering company. While at Holiday Catering, Bologna designed the company's kitchen, started a very successful cooking school and significantly increased the business with innovative menus and consistent excellence. Prior to joining Holiday Catering, Bologna was the executive chef at both Morels/Shiraz and Capital Grill.

"We are pleased to welcome Jim into our family," said Peter Wilde, managing director of The Townsend. "Jim brings a broad range of experience, innovation and a passion for excellence with him. He will be joining an equally talented, innovative and like-minded group of people here at the Townsend."

Bologna is a graduate of Michigan State University, with a degree in business and hospitality, and Schoolcraft Community College, where he received an associate degree in culinary arts.

Bologna and his wife live in Birmingham, Mich.

Since The Townsend opened in 1988, it has received numerous awards and accolades including Mobil Four Star and AAA Four Diamond designations as well as a perennial position on Conde Nast's "Top 100 Gold List," and Travel + Leisure's "World's Best Hotels." The Townsend's Rugby Grille has been recognized by Zagat's Restaurant Guide as one of the top 10 restaurants in the United States. THE TOWNSEND HOTEL, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, is located at 100 Townsend Street in downtown Birmingham, Mich. For more information, contact the hotel at 248-642-7900 or 800-548-4172. Additional information is also available at www.townsendhotel.com.

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