Mark G. Henry Named New Executive Chef at Skamania Lodge

STEVENSON, Wash., April 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Skamania Lodge, by Destination Hotels & Resorts, is proud to announce the appointment of a new executive chef, Mark G. Henry, who will lead the culinary direction of the two on-property restaurants and in-house banquet services. Chef Mark comes to the Cascadian-style lodge, located just 45 miles east of Portland, Ore. in the Columbia River Gorge, from the notable Eden Roc Miami Beach. With a focus on local sourcing and seasonal ingredients, Henry will be a natural fit with Skamania Lodge's existing food and beverage philosophy.

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"Chef Mark's hire is a huge win for our property," said Ken Daugherty, general manager of Skamania Lodge. "He worked in the Northwest for a number of years and has a deep-seeded appreciation for the local bounty and cuisine. We have no doubt that his talent will further enhance the culinary offerings and unique programming at Skamania."

Chef Mark got his start in the restaurant industry more than 30 years ago, washing dishes on the Jersey Shore, and soon followed that passion to train at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park. His education continued at iconic hotel restaurants across the country, including The Plaza in New York City, Marriott's Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, Ariz. and the Marriott Downtown Waterfront in Portland, Ore., where he honed his appreciation for regional flavors and his energetic style. With respect for classic flavors and techniques, along with "eye candy" presentation, Henry's goal is to make The Cascade Dining Room and River Rock Lounge at Skamania Lodge leading culinary destinations for locals and visitors alike.

Chef Mark has won numerous accolades, including DiRoNA and Zagat awards, participated in the Return of the Great North American Chefs event at the James Beard House, and is a member of the American Culinary Federation. His dedication to sustainable sourcing has also earned him a green certification. Outside of work, Mark spends his time paddle boarding, enjoying great wine and seafood – such as his signature Rainbow Trout dish with lobster mushrooms and golden beets – and lying back in his favorite hammock.

For more information on Skamania Lodge, visit www.skamania.com or call 509-427-7700.

About Skamania Lodge
Located 45 miles east of Portland, Ore., in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Skamania Lodge is an all-season, 175-acre mountain resort and conference center. The property is also home to 45 recreational options, including Waterleaf Spa, with an indoor swimming pool, hot tubs and a fitness center, an 18-hole championship golf course, and the Cascade Dining Room and River Rock restaurants. The Cascadian-style lodge is situated in a Pacific Northwest playground with hiking, biking and Sternwheeler river cruises in the summer; skiing and snowshoeing in the winter; and golfing, fishing and whitewater rafting year-round. The property has also won numerous awards, including: National Choice Award by Smart Meetings magazine; Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator; and the Gold Tier Green Star award from International Association of Conference Centers (IACC). For more information, visit www.skamania.com. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

About Destination Hotels & Resorts
Destination Hotels & Resorts is the largest hospitality management company focused on independent hotels and resorts with a portfolio of more than 40 luxury and upscale properties across the U.S. Located in premier destinations including Aspen, Chicago, Denver, Lake Tahoe, Los Angeles, Maui, Miami, New Orleans, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego, Santa Fe, Seattle, Vail and Washington D.C., the award-winning company operates 20 golf courses, 18 full-service spas, six IACC-certified conference centers and more than 121 unique culinary venues. Headquartered in Colorado, the privately-owned company is a subsidiary of Lowe Enterprises, a Los Angeles-based investment, development and real estate firm. For more information on Destination Hotels & Resorts, visit www.destinationhotels.com. Follow us on Twitter: @Destination. Like us on Facebook: DestinationHotels.

SOURCE Skamania Lodge