Deerfield Hotel Cook Wins Award From Trade Group

DEERFIELD, IL — A member of the kitchen staff at a local hotel recently received a award from the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association. Line Cook Edgar Garcia, who works at the Embassy Suites Chicago-North/Shore Deerfield, was named Suburban Food & Beverage Employee of the Year at the association's annual Stars of the Industry Awards earlier this month.

Garcia is seen as a leader at the hotel and the "glue" for the hotel's kitchen team. When Embassy Suites was without an executive chef earlier this year, staff said Garcia made sure guests never saw the behind-the-scenes challenges.

"I feel very blessed to be doing something that I love," Garcia said. "It is also wonderful to work with people that are not just coworkers, but good friends."

With an outgoing personality, Garcia enjoys being in front of hotel guests and takes pride in all the dishes he prepares and creates. He encourages fellow members of the kitchen team to be creative and help to develop a dish for the specials menu.

The announcement of his award also noted Garcia created a schedule so the food and beverage team can sample menu items during evening reception.

Awards were given out in 11 different categories during the event, which recognizes staff that inspire their peers with their "incredible hard work, dedication, attentiveness, and genuine kindness towards both guest and fellow colleagues," according to an announcement from the lodging industry trade group.

Regional winners will compete on the state level Dec. 14 at the Embassy Suites Chicago's Magnificant Mile location in an event hosted by retiring WBBM-TV Meteorologist Steve Baskerville.

The association will also be collecting gently used, or new, winter coats, scarves and mittens at the luncheon. The items will be distributed to those in need as part of the annual Cold Hands, Warm Hearts donation program in conjunction with the Chicago Police Department Community Relations Division and Domestic Violence Programs.

_{Top photo: Edgar Garcia | Courtesy IHLA}