Mandarin Oriental, Singapore is delighted to announce the appointment of Toni Robertson as Executive Chef. She joins the hotel from her previous role as Executive Chef of Mandarin Oriental, New York — a post she has held and excelled at for the past eight years. At Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, Chef Toni will be responsible for overseeing all of the hotel’s kitchen operations as well as devising a range of innovative culinary concepts that are sure to delight guests.
Born in Mandalay, Burma, Chef Toni Robertson has travelled the globe building her culinary expertise. From her earliest childhood, she knew that she would become a chef. “It’s all I ever wanted to do. Food plays such an important role in Asian society and family life.”
After moving to Chicago in her late teens, Chef Toni joined the U.S. Air Force. While stationed in Europe, she had the opportunity to explore top restaurants and try her hand at duplicating the dishes. When she returned to the U.S., Chef Toni trained at the Culinary and Hospitality Institute of Chicago, graduating first in her class. From there her career took her around the world to fine hotels including Chicago’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel (under Master Chef Fernand Gutierr), Four Seasons Beverly Hills (as Executive Sous Chef under Executive Chef Pascal Vignau), and the Grand Wailea Resort & Spa in Maui, Hawaii. Chef Toni also worked in South Africa as Executive Chef at the Palace Hotel of the Lost City. She then returned to her Asian roots joining the Pan Pacific Hotel in Singapore as the first female executive chef of a luxury hotel in Southeast Asia. After that she helped redefine spa cuisine as “lifestyle dining” at the Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa in California. Four years later, she joined one of the world’s largest restaurant companies to develop what would become the Seasons 52 Restaurant.
Chef Toni joined Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco, before accepting a position as Executive Chef at Mandarin Oriental, New York in October 2005. In addition to her extensive experience around the globe, Chef Toni won the national competition and represented the U.S. in the 1991 Prix Culinaire Pierre Taittinger Culinary Competition in Paris. She was also the first female chef to be inducted into the Singapore chapter of the Chaine des Rotisseurs, the world’s oldest international culinary organization. Once sanctions were lifted in 2000, she led the first team of chefs allowed out of South Africa to cook for the United Nations. Chef Toni is certified as a sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers and was inducted into Order Mondial under the direction of Master Sommelier George Milliotes.
“Considering Toni Robertson’s Asian roots, her vast culinary creativity and experience, as well as relentless passion for quality gastronomy, we are delighted to welcome Toni to our award winning property,” says Mr Christian Hassing, General Manager, Mandarin Oriental, Singapore.
ABOUT MANDARIN ORIENTAL, SINGAPORE
Mandarin Oriental, Singapore is one of the world’s foremost luxury hotels. It is the only hotel in the city that has been awarded ‘Five Star’ status for both accommodation and spa in the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide for two consecutive years (2012 and 2013). This award-winning property has a prime location, close to the financial hub with easy access to luxury boutiques and entertainment venues; and minutes away from Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sands Expo and Convention Center, Suntec City, Millenia Walk and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. The hotel features an impressive atrium lobby with 527 rooms and suites. There is a premium Oriental Club Lounge, an indulgent and intimate spa, extensive meeting and banqueting facilities, five renowned restaurants and a lounge overlooking spectacular Marina Bay. Mandarin Oriental, Singapore has recently been voted one of “T+L 500 World’s Best Hotels 2013” by Travel + Leisure USA and recognised as one of the top 20 hotels in South East Asia in the Condé Nast Traveler 2012 Readers’ Choice Award.
ABOUT MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL GROUP
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the most luxurious hotels, resorts and residences. The Group has grown from a well-respected Asian hotel company into a global brand and now operates, or has under development, 44 hotels representing close to 11,000 rooms in 25 countries, with 20 hotels in Asia, ten in The Americas and 14 in Europe, Middle East and North Africa. In addition, the Group operates or has under development, 13 Residences at Mandarin Oriental connected to its properties.
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