Albuquerque, New Mexico, July 27, 2010 The Radisson Hotel & Water Park Albuquerque announced today the addition of chef Brooke Roberson. Roberson will lead the culinary team responsible for delighting guests who dine in the hotels three food and beverage outlets, room service and banquets.

Roberson completed his American Culinary Federation apprenticeship at the five star, five diamond French Room at the Aldolphus Hotel in Dallas, Texas. A native of the state he graduated from the University of Houston with a bachelor of science in hotel and restaurant management. Roberson’s wide culinary experience is not confined to just one state, or country, as he has worked at hotels, resorts and restaurants in Georgia, Hawaii, Utah and Greece.

“Brooke brings us incredible culinary skills in addition to excellent management savvy”, said Jim Metzger, the hotel and water parks general manager. “The greatly increased business we are seeing since opening the water park means we have more hungry people to take care of.” Roberson added, “I am very excited to join the Radisson team and sharing my culinary knowledge with the wonderful people of Albuquerque.”

Chef Roberson takes over the food and beverage operations of the Brio Grille and Bar, room service for the 280 room hotel, the Surf’s Up Snack Shack in the water park as well as catering for the 26,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space.

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The Radisson Albuquerque Hotel & Water Park is independently owned and operated by River Hospitality Management, www.riverhospitality.com as a franchisee of Radisson® Hotels & Resorts. Offering 280 newly remodeled guest rooms, viewing spectacular mountain vistas, 26,000 sq. feet of flexible meeting, conference and banquet event space, heated indoor pool, complimentary Wi-Fi and airport shuttle all conveniently located in the midtown business district, near the I-40 and I-25 interchange, minutes from Albuquerque’s Sunport International Airport, Old Town, downtown and uptown shopping belt, and now featuring a 30,000 sq. foot indoor Water Park creating the only water park and family entertainment center in New Mexico.  

About Radisson Hotels
Radisson® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading, full-service hotel brands, offers vibrant, contemporary and engaging hospitality that is defined by its distinctive Yes I Can! Service philosophy. Radisson includes more than 420 locations in 73 countries. It is part of Carlson Hotels Worldwide, a leading global hotel company with more than 1,055 locations in 77 countries under the brands of Regent® Hotels & Resorts; Radisson® Hotels & Resorts; Park Plaza® Hotels & Resorts; Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM and Park Inn®.

About River Hospitality Management

River Hospitality Management is a profit-driven hospitality management company that strives for successful management partnerships in offering a unique blend of integrated disciplines, experienced leadership and multiple resources.   A focus on improving guest service quality, inspiring staff performance and igniting revenue production creates a sustainable model for increased profit margins and enhanced asset value under a variety of ownership structures. www.riverhospitality.com  

About Jim Metzger

Jim Metzger has joined the operations team at the Radisson Albuquerque as General Manager.  Jim’s past experience includes several water parks including the Kalahari and Great Wolf Lodge.  He was part of the Lodge’s opening team, joining just after groundbreaking through build out and grand opening.   He is a graduate of Cornell University’s General Manager Program, and received his BA from Eastern Kentucky University.  With more than 20 years of experience, he has managed multiple casino properties, including the Hollywood Casino in Shreveport, LA, where he was Vice-President of Hotel operations with more than 1,200 associates.  He began his hospitality career in deluxe historic hotels managing the Brazilian Court in Palm Beach, FL and the Union Station in Nashville, TN.

Jim has served on the board of the Warren County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, the Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Authority, the Sinclair College Hospitality Board of Advisors, and the Northern Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Association.