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 | | MORTON'S EXECUTIVE TYLOR FIELD III RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FOR HIS LEADERSHIP IN PROMOTING WINE SERVICE EDUCATION; A FIRST FOR FINE DINING STEAKHOUSES | | | Morton's Restaurant Group, Inc. | | 24/09/2007 | | | Morton's Restaurant Group, Inc. (NYSE: MRT) is extremely proud to announce that Tylor Field III, vice president of Wine and Spirits, has received the highest honor from the Guild of Sommeliers Education Foundation - the Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contributions to Morton's wine programs, and to the wine service industry. The foundation recently honored Field for his many contributions to wine service, wine education, and for his leadership in creating new innovative programs to enhance Morton's staff knowledge and wine service, as well as wine sales at the 75 Morton's The Steakhouse restaurants.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070924/NYM087 )
Field, 43, is just the eighth person in the world to receive this most prestigious award. The foundation is the not-for-profit group of the Court of Master Sommeliers that provides educational programs for wine service professionals and helps them achieve their goal of becoming Master Sommeliers. As vice president of Wine and Spirits, Field oversees all purchasing, marketing, training and development of wine, spirits and beverage programs for Morton's, the world's largest operator of company-owned upscale steakhouses.
"Through Tylor Field's vision and leadership, Morton's has provided its employees with a unique educational tool that has benefited sales, staff retention and motivation. His passion for pairing fine wine with world-class cuisine and superb service is exemplary," said Fred Dame, president of the Guild of Sommeliers Education Foundation. "Tylor has also provided the Foundation with an extraordinary opportunity to further our commitment to hospitality education."
Previous recipients of the Distinguished Service Award include: Ted Balestreri, past chairman of the Board of the National Restaurant Association and National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Trustee Emeritus; Percival Brown, a distinguished wine importer from the United Kingdom; Bert Cutino, past chairman of the American Academy of Chefs and co-founder of The Sardine Factory Restaurant; Dan Gulbronsen, Grand Enchanson of L'Ordre Mondial Degustateurs, a worldwide organization of devotees to the study and enjoyment of fine wines and quality spirits; Jeff Johnson, investor and collector of fine wines; Jonathan Newman, former chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board; and Mary Niven, vice president, Food and Beverage, Disneyland Resort.
"Morton's is truly proud that Tylor Field received this very fine recognition for promoting wine service education that enhances our staff's knowledge and our guest's experience," said Thomas J. Baldwin, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Morton's Restaurant Group, Inc. "His extraordinary devotion to wine service personifies Morton's commitment to our guests and to offering our guests the finest dining experience, great food, superior service and a world-class selection of domestic and international wines."
Field joined Morton's in 1990 as an assistant manager at the Boston location before advancing to the positions of General Manager and Regional Manager. In 1999, Field was promoted to Director of Beverage Operations for Morton's, the position he held until being named Vice President of Wine and Spirits in 2005. Working in partnership with Foster's Wine Estates, Field also assisted in the development of the World's Largest Wine Bottle for Morton's, as certified by Guinness Book of World Records in June 2005. He also was instrumental in developing Morton's Bar 12-21 concept. Field holds a bachelor of Fine Arts degree from New York University.
"On behalf of Morton's, I am truly honored to receive this award from the Guild of Sommeliers, given the stature and professionalism of the past award winners," Field said.
The award from the Guild of Sommeliers Education Foundation is the latest recognition of Morton's leadership in wine service and enhanced wine programs. In August, Wine Spectator, America's leading wine appreciation magazine, gave its 2007 Award of Excellence to every one of Morton's steakhouses. That award recognizes restaurants whose wine lists offer diverse and interesting selections that are well suited to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine enthusiasts.
In addition to featuring more than 200 premium wine selections in each of its restaurants (and as many as 500 wines in select Morton's), Morton's also offers a limited number of personal wine lockers in each restaurant. Another new addition is beautifully designed, temperature controlled wine rooms, featured at recently opened new Morton's in Cincinnati and Macau, and in every new Morton's moving forward.
Established in 1977, the Court of Master Sommeliers is the premier international examining body for sommeliers. The Court's Master Sommelier Diploma is the ultimate professional credential for a sommelier.
A sommelier is a restaurant professional that specializes in wine and wine selections for menus and courses. The Guild of Sommeliers Education Foundation, based in Rutherford, California, raises funds for student scholarships, conducts wine education courses for college students and administers the Best Young Sommelier and Best Texas Sommelier Competitions, which enables young sommeliers to enhance their skills and knowledge.
About Morton's
Morton's Restaurant Group, Inc. is the world's largest operator of company-owned upscale steakhouses. Morton's steakhouses have remained true to its founders' original vision of combining generous portions of high quality food prepared to exacting standards with exceptional service in an enjoyable dining environment.
As of September 24, 2007, the Company owned and operated 75 Morton's steakhouses located in 65 cities in 28 states and Puerto Rico and five international locations (Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Macau), as well as four Italian restaurants.
SOURCE Morton's Restaurant Group, Inc. | |
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