GRAND TOUR GALA 2014 RAMPS UP FOR NOV. 1 HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM EVENT

     WITH AWARD WINNING EXECUTIVE CHEF AND TEAM FROM HILTON ORLANDO

                                                 An Evening In London Will Be The Featured International Tour Stop This Year

         ORLANDO, Florida   --    In less than four months and counting, the Grand Tour Gala Charity Fundraiser, produced by the Orlando Chapter of the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE), will present its 2014 Dick Pope Legacy Awards at Hilton Orlando to Steve Hogan, CEO of Florida Citrus Sports; Adrian Jones, General Manager of Legoland® Florida and VP Merlin Entertainments USA; Richard Kessler, Chairman and CEO of Kessler Hotel Group; and Chef Emeril Lagasse, Celebrity Chef and Host of TV's Emeril's Florida.

         Hard at work already is Hilton Orlando Executive Chef Louis Martorano and his team, conceptualizing and strategizing on what to serve, how to execute and ultimately the kind of guest experience to deliver for a widely popular event that has become the Who's Who of Central Florida hospitality and tourism.

          "We are going to have fun in bringing the kitchen out to the guests.  Gastro pubs are hugely popular and for this London themed gala, we will make pub food gourmet," explained Martorano, a culinary industry veteran with 28 years experience, who supervises a Hilton Orlando team of 65 individuals responsible for the production of food served in six dining outlets and in-room dining, and leads the complete culinary operations for hotel banquets.  "English food is a lot of home cooking with ingredients like meats, eggs, burgers and mash, as well as the puddings and cheeses.  It will be high quality."

         Martorano's brigade Nov. 1 will consist of four banquet chefs and 25 cooks.  He also looks forward to working with the NACE at UCF students from the University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management who will be assisting that night.  "We love it because these are the people we want to hire one day," he exclaimed.

         His goal for the evening is to exceed expectations and make guests feel like they are in Piccadilly Circus and at Buckingham Palace.  "Food and service need to integrate and be seamless.  We are passionate about what we do and our banquet leadership team is the best in the city," Martorano added. 

         Hilton Orlando's many recognitions and honors include: Hilton Worldwide's  "Connie Award" for the "best of the best" hotel within each brand, the company's Guest Satisfaction Award for the "best of the best" in guest satisfaction and loyalty scores for hotels with 500 rooms and larger, Hilton Worldwide Hotel of the Year,  Hilton Hotels Event Excellence Award for Overall Loyalty from Rooms Only Meeting Planners, Orlando Business Journal list of Top Orlando Employers, Meetings & Conventions Gold Key Award, TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, Talk of the Town Excellence in Customer Satisfaction, and Orlando Sentinel Foodie Award for Spencer's for Steaks and Chops.

         According to Patricia Buchanan, President of the Orlando Chapter of NACE, it is aprivilege for Grand Tour Gala to take place this year at Hilton Orlando.  "We are expecting a very successful event orchestrated by the very talented and dedicated banquet and service teams at Hilton Orlando," she said.

         The tribute to Dick Pope Legacy Hall of Fame Award recipients will continue after the Gala when they will receive plaques and be immortalized on the walls of the Orange County Convention Center's West Building, Level 4.  "We are dedicated to recognizing them in this important tradition of excellence," commented Dr. Mary Jo Ross, CSEP, CPCE, professor at The University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management, and executive producer of The Grand Tour Gala.

         Grand Tour Gala 2014 will provide guests with a unique London Experience, featuring an entire evening of festivities filled with unique foods, Broadway-style entertainment, a silent auction and concierge-level guest services by NACE at UCF students from the University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management.

         Since Grand Tour Gala began in 2011, more than $180,000 has been distributed in student scholarships and programs.  Event proceeds provide scholarships benefitting students at the University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Valencia Community College, Daytona State College, Mid-Florida Tech Orlando, the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Educational Foundation, and NACE Education Foundation.

         For more Grand Tour Gala information, go to www.grandtourgala.com or send an email to info@grandtourgala.com.  For details on sponsorships and corporate tables, contact Patricia Buchanan at (407) 383-2132 or pat@grandtourgala.com.

         Central to every major destination Orlando, Florida has to offer, the AAA Four Diamond Hilton Orlando offers upscale, resort-style accommodations that are equal parts business and pleasure.  With a modern design and Orlando's newest outdoor venue, The Promenade, theresort boasts seven creative dining options, five acres of recreational playground (including a lazy river) and more than 1,400 guestrooms including 53 suites, offering an ideal retreat for families, couples and business travelers alike.  Hilton Orlando, 6001 Destination Parkway, Orlando.  Website: www.thehiltonorlando.com.