Hill Country Restaurateur Named New Executive Chef of Alden-Houston’s *17 Restaurant

Dec. 19, 2008 - PRLog -- Houston – Downtown’s Alden-Houston Hotel is pleased to announce the addition of Sander Edmondson to its staff this week, as new executive chef of the hotel’s award-winning *17 restaurant.  Edmondson comes to Houston from San Antonio where he served as executive chef for the Fairmont and Gunter Hotels before opening his own restaurant, Bistro Time (later renamed Bistro Thyme).  
 
“Sander comes to *17 with 20 years of experience, which allows us to create a diverse culinary experience from pre-theatre to intimate tastings to orchestrated banquet events,” said Susan Ward Freeman, general manager for Alden. Edmondson will oversee the food and beverage operation, from front of the house to back of the house.  “He has owned and operated his own restaurant, and his cooking philosophy is very much in line with that which *17 is known for – bold, clean flavors, which allow quality ingredients to shine through.  This is what our diners are looking for.”

In addition to serving as executive chef at luxury hotel kitchens and owning his own restaurant, Edmondson’s background includes formal training at the Scottsdale Culinary Institute in Arizona and a stint as Chef de Cuisine at San Antonio’s well-known French restaurant L’Etoile where he perfected the techniques of French cuisine.

Edmondson will continue to tap into local farmers for seasonal, fresh produce, meats and seafood, embracing the “farm to table” concept that *17 is known for.   “I’m very much looking forward to seeing what Houston’s farmers markets have to offer, and creating a new winter menu that honors and pays tribute to the farmers who have grown these products,” he said.

For more information visit www.aldenhotels.com. For dining reservations, please call 832-200-8888.