Former Disney Wine Guru Returns to Anaheim

ANAHEIM, Calif., May 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Veteran Restaurateur Michael Jordan, known amongst many in the local restaurant industry and abroad for his role and contributions as global manager of wine sales and wine education for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts® worldwide, also as general manager of Napa Rose restaurant at Disneyland® in Anaheim, left his most recent role as president of The Beachcomber Restaurant Group and has been named vice president of food & beverage for Anaheim's newest restaurant and live country music venue, THE RANCH Restaurant & Saloon.

Anticipating a fall 2011 launch, Jordan is no stranger to restaurant openings, or to the Orange County dining scene. Previous to Napa Rose, Jordan also opened Pinot Provence in Costa Mesa and was general manager of Pavilion at Four Seasons Hotel Newport Beach when it received AAA's Five Diamond Award.  Jordan's new role at THE RANCH is to develop all food & beverage operations.

Jordan holds a Master Sommelier diploma from the Court of Master Sommeliers as well as a Certified Wine Educator diploma from the Society of Wine Educators. Jordan is one of only 15 people in the world to hold both diplomas. He has taught comprehensive wine and beverage courses to hundreds of students and will be providing that education and certification for all Ranch staff members. In addition, THE RANCH will become a food and wine educational center for Southern California with classes and exams offered to guests and industry professionals alike. Jordan says he is looking forward to this opportunity, "I have traded my surfboard for cowboy boots and my guitar; I am excited about being a part of creating a new restaurant and a fun new venue for live country music in Orange County."

THE RANCH Restaurant & Saloon is the brainchild of Andrew Edwards, founder and owner of Extron Electronics, a leading manufacturer of professional AV system integration products for over 28 years. Originally from North Carolina, Edwards' deep passion for country music, dancing the two-step, enjoying fine wine and his southern hospitality roots spurred the idea to venture into the restaurant and entertainment business. Edwards tapped Jordan to assist him in developing THE RANCH's food and beverage concept, "Bringing Michael aboard with his experience and background in restaurants and his little known passion for music has been instrumental while navigating this new business venture."  

Restaurant

THE RANCH Restaurant will feature true American regional cuisine; cooking from scratch with the finest ingredients possible to capture the rustic style of wine country and the freshest flavors of the farm. California's great ranches, farms, dairies and the artisan bread bakers and cheese and wine makers will be honored. Emphasis will be on farm to table, fresh organically grown fruits and vegetables from local farms and from our own ranch in the Santa Ana Mountains.

THE RANCH's wine program will feature an extensive and complete cellar with a world class selection of wine served in a friendly and unintimidating style.  

Saloon

THE RANCH saloon will feature the best in live country music with a state of the art Myers sound system, a 48' x 26' dance floor and a 40' concert stage. Prime country music entertainers will be in concert on select dates with the best in local country music bands nightly as well as a DJ and complimentary dancing lessons.

THE RANCH is currently under construction and is located at 1025 East Ball Road, Anaheim on the ground floor of the new Extron Electronics Corporate Headquarters minutes from Disneyland, The Anaheim Convention Center, Angel Stadium and The Honda Center. The phone number is 714.817.4200. For more information on THE RANCH, please visit www.ranchinc.com.

Contact:  Melissa Cutter (714) 780-4042

SOURCE THE RANCH Restaurant & Saloon