Baltimore Convention Center Hotel Welcomes Pastry Chef Mohan De Silva

BALTIMORE, MD--(Marketwire - Jun 19, 2012) - Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, known for luxurious hotel suites in the Baltimore Inner Harbor, is pleased to announce the addition of Chef Mohan De Silva to their culinary team as Pastry Chef. With more than 25 years of experience, De Silva brings an award-winning culinary reputation to the Baltimore waterfront hotel.

"We are very excited to bring a visionary like Chef De Silva to Baltimore," General Manager Ed Rudzinski said. "He possesses both the creativity and poise needed to take our property to the next level in the pastry and dessert landscape."

Originally, De Silva set out to become an architect thanks to his love of design and construction, but his medium soon switched as he became increasingly captivated by the culinary arts, specifically baking and pastry arts. His mind danced with all the possibilities of not only the physics and gravity involved when creating a dessert but the adornments that give desserts their visual appeal.

"I find the process of transforming dry ingredients into cakes fascinating," De Silva said. "Looking at a multi-tiered cake, I see the beauty in the design of the piece; striking the balance of a strong foundation, in both construction and flavor, and artistic and imaginative decoration."

De Silva's distinguished background in gourmet sweets creation is generating plenty of excitement to regular guests of our suites in Baltimore, MD. After attending a one-year pastry and garde manger program in Sri Lanka, De Silva began a whirlwind of hands-on experience in well-regarded hospitality establishments across the globe including stops in the Bahamas and Saudi Arabia. De Silva cites the seven years he spent at The Fairmont Southampton, Bermuda Resort, apprenticing under former White House Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier, as the most influential of his career. He also amassed a wealth of experience during his time managing the pastry departments in the Marriott Corporation's largest hotels in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC.

De Silva has received more than 30 national and international culinary awards including 12 Olympic Medals at the International Exhibition of Culinary Art, the largest culinary exhibition in the world. Recognized for his excellence, De Silva was selected to serve as the Executive Pastry Chef for President George W. Bush's Black Tie & Boots Inaugural Ball in 2004. De Silva has also been featured on The Food Network and Fox Morning News.

Known for his one-of-a-kind desserts, De Silva is skilled in Patisserie, Chocolatier, Glacier and Boulangerie techniques. At the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront he will focus on elevating the hotel's dessert offerings in both the restaurants and catering operations, translating trends and clientele needs and visions into edible works of art. As one of the top destinations for meeting space in Baltimore, the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront will provide ample opportunity for De Silva to display his creations.

"It's a pleasure to welcome Chef De Silva to the team," said Executive Chef Carlos Gomez. "We both share a drive for excellence and innovation that will be carried throughout every aspect of our food and beverage program at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront."

About the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront
Located on the edge of Baltimore's historic Inner Harbor and steps from downtown sits our spectacular Baltimore Marriott Waterfront hotel, regarded as one of the top hotels near Johns Hopkins. A part of Baltimore, Maryland's newest neighborhood, Harbor East, our premier Baltimore Inner Harbor lodging option features a swimming pool, fitness center and stunning views. Each guestroom and suite features luxurious bed linens and hi-tech business amenities so guests can work or play in comfort. For event planners, our Baltimore Inner Harbor hotel provides the ideal location and facilities for any special occasion, ranging from intimate business meetings to elaborate weddings. The event facilities consist of 80,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and a Grand Ballroom. Perfect for weekend getaways, our downtown Baltimore, MD hotel is just steps from restaurants and shops at the Inner Harbor, the National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center and USS Constellation. Guests also enjoy the hotel's close proximity to the Convention Center, Camden Yards and the M&T Bank Stadium.