RIDGEWELLS CORPORATE CHEF WINS INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRY AWARD

Ridgewells, the premiere catering and event-design firm in the Washington, D.C., region, is proud to announce that Corporate Chef David Keener has received the Chef of the Year Award from the International Caterers Association.

Keener, nominated twice before in this category, accepted the honor at the ICA Catie Awards ceremony, held recently in Las Vegas. For the top honor, he beat out Cade Navy of Catering by Design in Denver and John Edmonson of Someone’s in the Kitchen in Tarzana, Calif.

“We are thrilled that David has won this esteemed industry award, which reflects his years of experience, leadership and culinary talent,” says Susan Lacz, the CEO and a principal with Ridgewells. “He truly deserves this international honor, a recognition of all that he has done for our company and our industry.”

Ridgewells’ corporate chef since 2005, Keener joined the company in 1997 as executive chef. In his current role, he directs the culinary vision of Ridgewells’ Social, Corporate and Well Seasoned divisions. Keener also oversees the kitchen operations of Ridgewells’ sister company, Haute Catering.

Under Keener’s leadership, Ridgewells has also won a number of significant industry awards.

Prior to coming on board at Ridgewells, he served as executive chef at La La Land Restaurant in Rehoboth Beach, DE. He also previously worked at the Greenbrier Resort and the Williamsburg Inn.

Keener is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, and he is also an active member of the International Caterers Association Chef’s Council and the American Culinary Foundation.

About Ridgewells:
Founded in 1928, Ridgewells is the leading catering and event-design firm in the Washington, D.C., area. The privately held company has set the standard for more than 80 years as Washington’s leading catering service for unforgettable events.

Ridgewells has played a major role in providing catering and event-planning services at nearly 20 Presidential Inaugurations, and its list of satisfied customers includes the White House, the State Department, the U.S. military, other government agencies, Fortune 500 corporations and educational institutions.

The Ridgewells family includes Well Seasoned Events and Catering by Ridgewells, which focuses on contract events, concessions and catering to sporting and other major events, schools, and local businesses; Haute Catering, a union caterer; CapitolHost, which serves Capitol Hill; and Purple Tie by Ridgewells, a staffing company.
The company’s Web site is www.ridgewells.com.