The Coast Chilliwack Hotel today announced the appointment of award-winning chef Tony Heesterman as Executive Chef responsible for the hotel’s food preparation, catering, room service as well as the operations of Prestons Restaurant.
Chef Heesterman was previously Executive Chef of BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, home to the Canadian Football League’s B.C. Lions, where he oversaw the menu for such notable events as the APEC 18 World Leaders Summit, Gala Dinner Circle of Care attended by Prince Andrew, the International AIDS Conference, four Grey Cups, NFL American Bowl and numerous trade shows, concerts and other events.
Over his 33-year career, Chef Heesterman has competed in numerous culinary shows in B.C. and Washington State, winning a bronze medal in the Charcuterie category at the World Culinary Arts Festival in Vancouver in 1987. He also won a gold medal during his apprenticeship in the Charcuterie category at the Victoria Culinary Arts Show in 1984, a gold medal in the Charcuterie category at the Washington Culinary Arts Show in 1987, and a bronze medal in tallow sculpture and a silver in hot plate served cold at the Victoria Culinary Arts Show in 1988.
Tony joined Centerplate, a leading hospitality provider to North America’s sports, convention and entertainment venues, as Executive Chef in 1991 when the company was awarded BC Place Stadium’s food and beverage contract. As a member of the Centerplace culinary team he assisted at Centerplate’s venues in Denver, Colorado, San Jose, California, Houston Texas and participated in the opening of the Everett Arena, Washington, M.T.S. Center in Winnipeg and the Phoenix Stadium, Arizona.
In his new position as Executive Chef at the Coast Chilliwack Hotel, Tony will indulge his passion for fresh, high-quality local ingredients. Following the principles of the “100-Mile Diet,” Tony’s menu will reflect local and in-season ingredients from the Fraser Valley wherever possible.
When he’s not working in the kitchen, Tony pursues elusive salmon and steelhead on the Fraser River in the early morning hours. He also enjoys, swimming, running, scuba diving and snowboarding. A North Vancouver resident, Tony is the father of two sons and a daughter all in their twenties.
About the Coast Chilliwack Hotel
The 110-room Coast Chilliwack Hotel is located in the heart of downtown Chilliwack, a short distance from Chilliwack Heritage Park, the 5,000-seat Prospera Centre, home of the Chilliwack Bruins WHL hockey team, and the new Chilliwack Cultural Centre Project, which will include an art gallery, a 500-seat performance theatre, music instruction rooms, arts and crafts studios and related amenities. Chilliwack, B.C. is located approximately 100 km east of Vancouver in the Fraser Valley, a short distance from three border crossings, and offers a multitude of recreational experiences such as river rafting, horseback riding, hiking, waterskiing, wind surfing, kayaking, boating, mountain climbing, mountain biking, golfing and world-class fishing.
About Prestons
Prestons, which opened in August 2009, offers an innovative fusion of skilfully prepared west coast cuisine with Mediterranean and Asian accents. The restaurant’s creative Intro Plates include Seared Diver Scallop & Sweet Prawn Gyozas, Hoisin & Star Anise Glazed Pork Ribs as well as Beef Carpaccio with White Truffle Drizzle. Featured bowls include Steamed West Coast Mussels in Cilantro Chilli Coconut Broth, and Wild Mushroom Ravioli. Entree-size dishes range from $13 to $26 including Traditional Pad Thai with Chicken, Prawns & Tofu, Grilled Chicken and Triple Cream Brie Sandwich on Cranberry Bread with Sweet Onion Confit, Rustic Prosciutto Filon, Pancetta & Okanagan Chevre Stuffed Chicken, Espresso & Fig Braised Lamb Shank, Szechuan Peppercorn Crusted Ahi, Wild B.C. Salmon with Putanesca Sauce and Prestons Signature Fraser River Stone Steak. Prestons is open seven days a week for lunch, dinner and casual get togethers with friends for appetizers and cocktails. For more information, please call (604) 701-3070 or visit the website at www.dineprestons.com.
About Coast Hotels & Resorts
Coast Hotels & Resorts is a leading hotel chain in western North America. The company’s philosophy of serving its guests through a superior standard of value, hospitality and service enables its continuing expansion. Coast Hotels & Resorts now owns, manages and franchises over 40 hotel and resort properties located throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Northwest Territories, the western United States, Alaska and Hawaii. Visit www.coasthotels.com or call 1-800-663-1144 for more information.
