CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa
The DoubleTree by Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Complex is excited to announce the appointment of Gabriel Vera as its new executive chef, who will lead food and beverage operations at the hotel.
Chef Gabriel is a Certified Executive Chef (C.E.C.) by The American Culinary Federation and a certified ice carver and winner of several ice carving championships. He earned his associate degree in Culinary Arts at The School of Chefs in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and is bilingual in English and Spanish.
“Chef Gabriel has an outstanding track record of managing food and beverage operations across the globe,” said Matt Felling, Complex General Manager for Doubletree by Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Complex. “He brings a strong knowledge of international cuisine and will be a valuable asset to ensuring the DoubleTree by Hilton Cedar Rapids is a focal point of the exciting transformation taking place in the downtown area. It is with great confidence that we appoint Chef Gabriel.”
Chef Gabriel most recently worked with the Adoba Hotel in Dearborn, Michigan, as Executive Chef of the Entire operation, including the Convention Center and multi-unit restaurants. He has over 10 years of culinary and hospitality experience, including positions with Lena & Habana Restaurant in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Saltwater by Michael Mina at MGM Grand Detroit, and international experience at the UniCentro Hotel in Guayaquil Ecuador.
Chef Gabriel is currently in the process of earning his WCMC, World Certified Master Chef by the World Culinary of Chefs Society and his Level 2 Certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers and has won several past awards for his culinary efforts, including a Gold Medal at the 2010 Michigan Culinary World Cup and Bronze Medal as a Chef Competitor of the 2012 Michigan Culinary Olympic Team.
As executive chef at the DoubleTree by Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Complex, Chef Gabriel will work with the catering staff at the complex to provide memorable food and beverage experiences for groups hosting meetings and events at the hotel, in addition to overseeing on-site restaurant efforts.
More about the DoubleTree by Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Complex
The facility combines a 267-room DoubleTree by Hilton, the U.S. Cellular Arena and the new state-of-the-art U.S. Cellular Convention Center. Enjoy the comfortable amenities and modern technology offered in each room, also enjoy our famous freshly baked chocolate chip cookie upon your arrival!
Located in the heart of downtown Cedar Rapids, the complex is just 15 minutes from Eastern Iowa Airport, and includes over 80,000 square feet of meeting and event space. Step outside and experience the vibrant downtown setting with shops, theatres, museums, restaurants and nightlife.
For more information, please visit CedarRapidsConventionComplex.DoubleTree.com.
