January 17th, 2013 – Orient-Express is delighted to announce the appointment of Patrice Martineau as Executive Chef for El Encanto, the iconic Santa Barbara property scheduled to re-open in March 2013 on the west coast of America. Originally from Troyes, France, Martineau brings international and national award-winning experience to the only West Coast hotel under the luxurious Orient-Express portfolio. Set to become a culinary destination, El Encanto will incorporate the produce and seafood of the Santa Barbara region into the wonderfully inventive French and Asian inspired “California Coastal Cuisine,” highlighting Chef Martineau’s experience in Tokyo, London and New York City and placing the hotel firmly on the gastronomic map of America’s Riviera.

“Following a careful selection process, we are delighted to have someone of Chef Martineau’s calibre at the helm of our culinary offerings,” said Laura McIver, General Manager of El Encanto. “I’m very excited to develop a Californian coastal cuisine (with my own unique French flair), especially given the wealth of fresh produce available in Santa Barbara, as well as my own Chef’s Garden at El Encanto,” added Chef Martineau. “Complementing our menu with a selection of great wines, fabulous service and of course our stunning views, we will have a winning recipe for our guests.”

Chef Martineau’s menu will incorporate freshly picked herbs and vegetables from the hotel’s Chef’s Garden as well as seasonal produce and Santa Barbara’s famous sea urchin. Customised offerings will include El Encanto’s personal Holstein cow, Ellie, who will produce signature El Encanto cheese. Upon re-opening in March, guests will enjoy spring favourites like Dashi Poached Local Halibut with Rosemary Flowers, Asparagus Risotto and Marinated Heirloom Tomatoes. Year-round dishes will include Braised Beef Cheeks in Red Wine, Slow-Roasted Daikon Radish and Parsley Sweet Garlic Sauce, Seaweed Custard with Poached Quail Eggs, and Caramelised Santa Barbara Uni and Yuzu Kosho Whipped Cream. 

The culinary offering at El Encanto will encompass a variety of authentic highlights, including clotted cream produced from Ellie and a selection of jams made in the kitchens of the hotel for afternoon tea. The wine list will feature wines from Santa Barbara, but will also include an El Encanto branded pinot noir and sauvignon blanc that will be created especially for the hotel by local wineries.

Prior to joining El Encanto, Chef Martineau was the Chef De Cuisine at PETER at THE PENINSULA TOKYO, where he was first selected as the Opening Chef to launch the gastronomic restaurant. His former international experience also includes a two-year Executive Chef position at THE SAVOY in London. Starting off as the Sous Chef in 1999, Martineau quickly moved up through the ranks at DANIEL in New York City and became the Chef de Cuisine in 2003. Martineau’s colourful resume also consists of numerous television appearances on BBC, including a guest judge on the popular Celebrity Masterchef. With a Masters in the Culinary Arts from Chambre Syndicale de l’Aube, Martineau worked with Christophe Cussac from whom he learned the essentials of gastronomic cuisine and the skills needed to achieve the highest level of culinary skills. 

A Superior Bungalow at El Encanto starts from $525 (approx £325) per night, based on two sharing. For further information or to make a booking please visit www.elencanto.com or call the Orient-Express UK reservations team on 0845 077 2222.

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Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. is a luxury hotel company and sophisticated adventure travel operator which seeks to deliver memorable experiences that are the ultimate expression of each destination's authentic culture.   The Company has offered exceptional luxury travel experiences since 1976, when it purchased Hotel Cipriani in Venice and then shortly thereafter recreated the celebrated Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, linking London, Paris and Venice, along with other European cities.   Today the Orient-Express brand embraces 45 hotel, restaurant, cruise and luxury rail businesses in 22 countries, including distinctive properties such as Hotel Cipriani in Venice, Grand Hotel Europe in St Petersburg, Hotel Ritz Madrid, Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro and Maroma Resort and Spa on Mexico’s Riviera Maya.  The Company also operates six luxury tourist trains, two river cruise operations and the ‘21’ Club, one of New York’s most iconic restaurants and watering holes.  www.orient-express.com

For further information, please contact Sara Mirza or Emily Wilson at Orient-Express on 0203 117 1376 or sara.mirza@orient-express.com, Emily.wilson@orient-express.com