Meydenbauer Center, the second largest convention facility in the Greater Seattle area, hired Michael Heaps as executive chef. Heaps brings a wealth of experience and pedigree to Meydenbauer that will elevate the visitor experience and ensure all meetings and events elements align to the renovations and tech improvements that were completed in early 2016.
Heaps vision for the new Meydenbauer food offerings is using local ingredients from area farms, dairies and growers whenever possible, and elevating these local ingredients so meeting and event planners will look to Meydenbauer for a truly memorable experience for their attendees and guests.
“Along with Meydenbauer’s recent renovation we felt it was time to refresh our food and beverage offerings as well,” said Aaron Shook, food and beverage manager of Meydenbauer Center. “Bellevue is attracting savvy and sophisticated clients that are coming to town with elevated needs and we want to ensure that Meydenbauer can offer a spectacular culinary experience that suits each occasion. We feel that Michael’s culinary pedigree, diverse range of talents and the fact he is classically trained will be a perfect complement to the direction we are taking Meydenbauer.”
Prior to relocating to the Northwest, Heaps served as sous chef at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he spent more than four years. He then moved on to serve as executive chef of Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group, leading a large and experienced culinary team. Most recently, he served as the executive chef of The University Club in Seattle for the past five years.
A native of Philadelphia, Heaps is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute. He currently resides in West Seattle with his wife and a Yorkie named Grayson.
Meydenbauer Center is a full-service convention center and theatre serving conventions, corporate and community meetings and the performing arts. There is 54,000 square feet of meeting rooms and event space in a range of sizes to accommodate 6 to 3,500 people. Facilities include column-free ballroom and exhibit space, meeting room and breakout space, a presentation, lecture and performing arts theatre and an executive conference suite.
