Vongerichten to develop new restaurant concept with Starwood

Internationally renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten has teamed up with Starwood Hotels to develop a series of new restaurant concepts.

The chef, who has 15 restaurants around the world, will work with business partner Phil Suarez and private equity group Catterton Partners, to create eateries at select Westin, W, Le Meridien and St Regis properties.

One of the first, multi-site concepts, will be based on Vongerichten's Asian-influenced Spice Market restaurant in New York. An initial outlet will launch at the St Regis hotel on the Tahatian island of Bora Bora.

Vongerichten - whose eponymous restaurant was awarded three-stars in the inaugural New York Michelin Red Guide in 2004, plans to open 50 to 75 units over five years.

Starwood chief executive Steven Heyer said: "We see a wonderful opportunity to dramatically re-imagine hotel dining."

By Chris Druce

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