New Chef Elevates Profile of Historic Kansas City Hotel's Signature Restaurant

KANSAS CITY, MO--(Marketwire - Jun 13, 2011) - Executive Chef Charles d'Ablaing has stirred up the Chaz kitchen and had the local culinary community's collective tongue wagging since joining the historic boutique hotel as its top chef three months ago. Although his local fans and media were surprised by his departure from Webster House -- a former "ladies who lunch" place d'Ablaing transformed into a destination restaurant during his five-year stint -- they were not surprised by his immediate impact on the nationally acclaimed Kansas City Plaza hotel's restaurant.

Chef d'Ablaing's menus showcase the modern, regional American cooking style that has been his signature since he landed in Kansas City fifteen years ago. It is a style that incorporates regional bounty, the Atlanta native's southern roots and ethnic influences. His emphasis on quality ingredients, proper seasoning and precise cooking technique is reflected in a concise, yet diverse variety of appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts. He also regularly features a soup of the day and a specialty dish based on what is fresh in the market. Items winning the hearts and palates of this Kansas City Country Club Plaza restaurant's patrons include the chef's signature fried green tomatoes, Savannah style crab cake, his personally selected and hand-butchered prime aged beef tenderloin, and roasted red grouper.

Chef d'Ablaing has raised the Kansas City Plaza restaurant's profile through promotions and personality. He introduced a popular new happy hour that features high-quality items such as blue crab and mushroom risotto, truffle fries and his signature Chaz burger at just $3 each. His new culinary event series will follow a sold-out Cakebread Cellars wine dinner with dinners featuring Freemark Abbey on August 25 and Vermeil Wines on October 20. The popular chef is also known for his cooking outside of the restaurant. He was featured at the James Beard House in 2009 and has been prominent in local charitable events and competitions, including Food Fight, an Iron Chef-style competition to benefit Children's Center for the Visually Impaired. He recently joined with other high-profile local chefs to cook for survivors of the devastating tornado in Joplin, Missouri and will be featured in a cooking class in August.

The chef is also changing the world for this Kansas City boutique hotel's guests. His popular braised pork, prepared sous vide and available 24 hours a day, exemplifies his belief that in-room dining should and can reach the memorable experience threshold.

Chaz on the Plaza is located at 325 Ward Parkway in the historic Raphael Hotel. Information, menus and reservations are available at raphaelkc.com or by calling 816.802.2152.