NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., Nov. 30,
2015 /PRNewswire/ -- MGM National Harbor has named the
powerhouse lineup of celebrated chefs -- including
José Andrés, Marcus Samuelsson,
and Bryan and Michael Voltaggio --
to lead its culinary program when the resort opens in the second
half of 2016. Each new concept has been carefully crafted to pay
homage to the culture and influence of the region's prominent
culinary landscape.
Creating a true culinary destination for the eastern
United States, MGM National Harbor
has partnered with the biggest names in the food world to deliver
totally new concepts, exclusive to the resort. Award-winning
Spanish American chef José Andrés, renowned for popular dining
destinations in Washington, D.C.,
Beverly Hills, Las Vegas, Miami and most recently, Mexico City, will join the roster along with
Ethiopian-born and Sweden-raised
acclaimed chef Marcus Samuelsson,
known for his New York City
hotspots. Adding local flavor to the mix are brothers Bryan and Michael Voltaggio, natives of
Frederick, Md., whose victories on
Bravo's popular culinary
competition "Top Chef" made them both national sensations.
"In recent years, the Capital Region has become a thriving food
destination with many of the best chefs in the world contributing
to our booming restaurant scene," said MGM National Harbor General
Manager Bill Boasberg. "We have
selected incredible talent to create an unparalleled dining
experience at our resort and we are excited to welcome these new
concepts and chefs into our company's award-winning culinary
portfolio."
Chef José Andrés
José Andrés will introduce his
first seafood-focused concept overlooking the Potomac from the prow of MGM National
Harbor. Drawing inspiration from the bounty of the regional
watershed, the restaurant's menu will feature locally sourced
ingredients and fresh seafood. Exquisite dishes will incorporate
local and international cooking techniques, allowing diners to
experience diverse flavor combinations and profiles. Guests will be
able to choose from a variety of dining options depending on their
preferred experience, including cocktail, sushi or tempura bars
with exciting views of interactive kitchen stations, and communal
tables or main dining room seating offering commanding views and
visually stunning décor.
"I'm thrilled to be announcing my first seafood restaurant in
what will be the iconic MGM National Harbor," said Chef Andrés.
"There are so many stories to be told through the astonishing
bounty of the sea."
Named one of Time's "100 Most Influential People," awarded
"Outstanding Chef" by the James Beard Foundation and named
"Chef of the Year" by Bon Appétit and "Hot Restaurateur" by Condé
Nast Traveler, Andrés has been a defining force in the culinary
world. A pioneer of Spanish tapas in the
United States, he is also known for his groundbreaking
avant-garde cuisine and his award-winning group of restaurants
that spans 21 concepts throughout the country, in Washington, D.C., Miami, Puerto
Rico, Las Vegas and
Los Angeles. He is a committed
advocate of food and hunger issues and is known for championing the
role of chefs in the national debate on food policy. This work has
earned him awards and distinctions such as Outstanding American by
Choice, awarded by President Barack
Obama, and the McCall-Pierpaoli humanitarian award.
Chef Marcus Samuelsson
Making his Capital Region debut, five-time James Beard
Award-winning chef Marcus Samuelsson
will create a menu honoring his cultural roots while showcasing the
distinct coastal flavors of the local landscape. Samuelsson will
serve signature creations for breakfast, lunch and dinner along
with classic dishes like his whole fried chicken that is meant to
be shared. His elegant comfort food is anchored around an open
kitchen and large grill, a warm and inviting bar with signature
cocktails, in addition to a smaller bar that gives guests a peek
into the kitchen. Samuelsson's concept is designed to inspire a
celebratory and festive atmosphere, making it the ideal setting for
either a special event or a casual stop for a quick snack while
enjoying live music.
"I'm super excited to be partnering with MGM on the opening of
this hotel in National Harbor. It is a real privilege to be a
part of such a great collection of chefs including José, Michael
and Bryan," said Samuelsson.
The world-renowned chef's career includes notable highlights
such as cooking the State Dinner for President Barack Obama, being the youngest recipient of a
three-star review by The New
York Times and winning a James Beard Foundation
award for "Best Chef: New York
City." He opened the iconic Red Rooster
Harlem in 2010 to much acclaim and later that year won
Bravo's "Top Chef Masters" Season
2, further elevating his culinary career on a national scale.
Samuelsson is the author of several cookbooks including
the James Beard Award-winning "The Soul of a New
Cuisine" and "Marcus Off
Duty: The Recipes I Cook at Home." He released his
New York Times bestseller and James
Beard- winning memoir "Yes, Chef" in 2012 to rave reviews
and in 2015 the young adult adaptation, "Make It Messy." In
2015, Marcus opened Streetbird Rotisserie in Harlem, and Marcus' at
the Hamilton Princess in Bermuda.
Chefs Bryan and Michael
Voltaggio
Brothers Bryan and
Michael Voltaggio will join forces, for the first time, to
open a contemporary steakhouse concept at MGM National
Harbor. The menu will highlight regional
specialties, drawing inspiration from their home state of
Maryland. The design will integrate a host of nostalgic
details and contemporary furnishings to create a feeling of coming
home that is both sophisticated and familiar.
"Michael and I have always talked about collaborating. Despite
having as many differences as we do similarities, we have
been waiting to tell the story of the two of us as chefs
through one menu," said Bryan
Voltaggio. "It's fitting that we are bringing our
first kitchen together in our home state of Maryland and we are excited to be a
part of the evolution of the new Potomac waterfront."
Michael added, "We couldn't have asked for a better
partner to bring us together in our home town. By creating a
world class experience where guests can eat, sleep, and play, MGM
National Harbor is setting the stage for an exciting family
reunion!"
Based on opposite coasts, Bryan is chef and owner of a
restaurant group that sprawls throughout the Mid-Atlantic, while
Michael has planted new roots in Los
Angeles. Bryan's properties span the culinary spectrum
including finer, progressive dining at flagship VOLT and Range, to
refined Italian at Aggio, classic American fare at Family Meal, and
artisanal sandwich concept Lunchbox. Meanwhile, Michael opened his
"modern Los Angeles" flagship ink.
and chef-driven sandwich concept ink.sack both to much critical
acclaim. The former was named by GQ as the Best New Restaurant in
America the year it opened; the latter recently found its second
home at the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport, and is
poised for continued growth in the immediate future.
Both Bryan and Michael Voltaggio
may best be known for their time on Bravo's Emmy-winning season of "Top
Chef," on which they were fierce competitors battling it out to the
very end. Bryan would later make a reprisal on Bravo's "Top Chef Masters." The two have
also been featured on various programming for both the Cooking
Channel and Food Network. Most recently, Michael could be seen on
Travel Channel's acclaimed docuseries, "Breaking Borders."
About MGM National Harbor
The newest addition to the
MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM) portfolio, MGM National
Harbor\'s unrivaled setting offers stunning panoramic views of the
eastern shore of the Potomac River in Maryland. The $1.3
billion resort sits a short distance from Washington, D.C. to the north and historic
sites, including George Washington's
Mount Vernon estate across the
river in Virginia. The 24-story,
308-room resort will feature premier amenities and experiences for
locals as well as visitors from around the world including a
dynamic casino with over 125,000 square feet of space that includes
slots, table games and poker; a world-class spa and salon; an
entertainment theater with flexible seating for up to 3,000;
high-end branded retail; 27,000 square feet of meeting space; and
restaurants from renowned local, national and international chefs.
MGM National Harbor is slated to open in the fourth quarter of
2016.
For high-resolution images and additional information,
visit newsroom.mgmnationalharbor.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this
release that are not historical facts are forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. MGM National Harbor has based these
statements on management's current expectations and assumptions and
not on historical facts. Examples of these statements include
statements regarding the contemplated lineup of chefs and the
expected opening date of the casino resort. A number of important
factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those
indicated in such forward-looking statements, including effects of
economic and market conditions, competition with other destination
travel locations throughout the United
States and the world, and the design, timing and costs of
the projects and risks relating to permits, licenses, financings,
approvals and other contingencies and additional risks and
uncertainties described in the MGM Resorts International Form 10-K,
Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports (including all amendments to those
reports) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In
providing forward-looking statements, MGM National Harbor is not
undertaking any duty or obligation to update these statements
publicly as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise, except as required by law.
SOURCE MGM National Harbor