St. Petersburg Russia Hotel's Culinary Team Advances in 2014 Challenge

ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA--(Marketwired - Dec 2, 2014) - Heating up a competition of culinary professionals throughout Europe, a team from one of the prominent 4-star hotels in St Petersburg, Russia will be representing Marriott hotels throughout that country as competitors in the 2014 European Black Box Culinary Challenge.

Marriott's Black Box Culinary Challenge is a team-based event for both front- and back-of-house associates designed to showcase high quality skills from the kitchen to the table. The Food and Beverage Team from the Courtyard St. Petersburg Center West/Pushkin Hotel was named overall winner among Russian Marriott hotels and after a brief celebration is preparing for the European round and presentation at Frankfurt Marriott Hotel. The Courtyard team works out daily preparing both international and German menus for those dining at the hotel's popular restaurants in St. Petersburg or utilizing event spaces, which include an elite VIP private dining room.

Teams representing all brands within Marriott International are eligible to participate in the contest which begins with a mystery 'Black Box' filled with ingredients. Inside the box are ingredients that may be used by competitors, including local and seasonal produce, spices, fruits, vegetables and dairy products. Each kitchen team prepares a three-course menu for 22 persons, 20 of which will be served to the events' two tables and two dishes for judges and photos. Each event consists of four to eight teams comprised of three chefs and three service associates.

Using the theme of "Street Food," the service team will set up one table to that theme, but in completing the requirement to service two tables for 10, will complete the other as themed by the Frankfurt Marriott. They will be judged on:

• Innovation (creative use of display materials, unique presentations of centerpiece);
• Professional Presentation (table is laid to exact international standards of dining etiquette; quality of napery, cutlery and accoutrement used); and
• Hygiene (Material used is suitable for food services, cleanliness of linen, flat ware and glasses).

About the Courtyard St. Petersburg Center West/Pushkin Hotel

The Courtyard St. Petersburg Center West/Pushkin Hotel welcomes travelers with refreshing style and full-service amenities designed for the comfort and convenience of both leisure and business travelers. The hotel's accommodation near Mariinsky Theatre and the vibrant St. Petersburg business district, allows guests to rest easy and make the most of their travel time in northern Russia. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi and business center services in the hotel's well-designed lobby, while a convenient hotel shuttle bus provides easy access to St. Isaac's Cathedral and the attractions of Nevsky Prospekt. Other amenities include on-site dining options from three restaurants and 9,149 square feet of flexible meeting and event space ideal for hosting conferences or social gatherings along the banks of the Griboedov Canal.