Categorized | Business

Sheraton adds executive chef, two sales directors

MEDIA RELEASE

Pyramid Hotel Group has selected Viktor Schmidt as executive chef at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay. Donna Meyers is the resort’s director of group sales and Alana Miranda has been appointed director of leisure sales.

Viktor Schmidt

“We are fortunate to have these three highly skilled individuals at Sheraton Kona,” General Manager and Area Managing Director Steve Lindburg said.

“To have Chef Viktor at the helm in our kitchens is absolutely ideal,” Lindburg said. “Donna’s organizational strengths and her keen business-to-business sales acumen add an important dimension to our sales efforts while Alana’s wide range of experience in the leisure marketplace add further depth to the great team at Sheraton Kona.”

Schmidt’s culinary philosophy is summed up in the phrase, “think global, cook local.”

Following a culinary apprenticeship in high school, Schmidt became an Army cook. His military service helped pay for his degree in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management from the University of Alaska.

He also holds a degree from the Culinary Institute of America in New York and he is a Certified Executive Chef with the American Culinary Federation.

Schmidt leads the resort’s team of professionals that prepare island-inspired meals for Ainakai restaurant, the newly opened oceanfront Rays on the Bay, Holua poolside bar and lounge, plus in-room dining, banquets and catering, and traditional and contemporary foods presented at the resort’s Monday evening luau, Haleo.

Upon arrival on the island Schmidt immediately established relationships with growers so that he could bring the freshest ingredients to the tables at Sheraton Kona.

Additionally, he contacted leaders in the Hawaii Community College West Hawaii culinary arts program and offered to help and become involved in any way he could.

Through his efforts Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa has proudly sponsored a student culinary team that will travel to Oahu with Schmidt as their mentor to compete in the Hawaii Culinary Competition Expo. The American Culinary Federation sanctioned competition with ACF certified judges involves strict guidelines in a variety of categories.

“The HCC West Hawaii team developed a menu using all island-grown products and they are hopeful of continuing on to the national competition,” Schmidt said. “The food they have made is beautiful and the students are doing great.”

Meyers’ responsibilities include group lead generation, sales negotiations and proposal development, account management and building client relationships.

Most recently, Meyers represented Great Wolf Lodge in Washington. Prior to that she served as Director of Sales and Marketing at the Salem Conference Center in Oregon.

Meyers is a member of Meeting Planners International, Oregon Society of Association Management and the Washington Society of Association Executives.

“As the proud mom of two daughters, I am excited to share Hawaii Island culture and activities with them including Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, snorkeling, hiking and zip lining,” Meyers said. “I am equally excited to become part of this amazing island community.”

She may be reached at 930-4876 or dmeyers@sheratonkona.com.

Miranda, who was born and raised on Oahu, has built valuable relationships with key accounts and industry leaders in the travel market during her 25 years in hospitality sales. She has served in capacities ranging from regional sales to director’s positions for Hawaii and international hotels and resorts.

Miranda’s work has led her to Los Angeles, Tahiti and Mexico among other places. A fluent Spanish-speaker, Miranda enjoys music, hula, international travel and the outdoors.

“It is great to be back in Hawaii and reconnect with family and friends here,” Miranda said. “There is a sense of community that is unlike anywhere else and I am thrilled to be a part of the team at the renewed Sheraton Kona. I look forward to increasing Hawaii Island awareness in the travel community and supporting the efforts of our resort and island’s visitor bureau.”

Reach her at 930-4875 or amiranda@sheratonkona.com

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