Ashok Bajaj Taps Antonio Conte As New Executive Chef Of Oval Room

For Immediate Release

Washington, D.C. - Restaurateur Ashok Bajaj is pleased to announce the appointment of Antonio (Tony) Conte as Executive Chef of the Oval Room, the elegant 100-seat main dining room and 40 seats al fresco dining restaurant located one block from the White House on 800 Connecticut Ave., NW. Chef Conte brings a wealth of culinary experience to his new position, having worked as the executive sous chef at four-star Jean Georges. Conte joined Jean Georges in 2003, and he was responsible for menu innovation, research and development, product management, assessment and culinary training, as well as purchasing and food costs.

Chef Conte's impressive resume also includes a stint as the chef de partie at JoJo, a contemporary French restaurant also owned by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and a turn as executive chef and co-owner of Pesce in Branford, Connecticut, where, during his tenure, the restaurant earned Connecticut Magazine's "Best New Restaurant 2002" and Taste of Nation's "Golden Fork Award" Best Food in Show 2001.

Born and raised in New Haven, CT, Tony Conte received his A.O.S. Culinary Degree from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. He spent the early part of his career honing his skills close to home at notable restaurants such as Sole e Luna Ristorante in Westport and then advanced to the position of executive sous chef for the Greenwich Country Club and after, the Belmont Country Club in Belmont, Massachusetts.

As executive chef of the Oval Room, Chef Conte will carry on the restaurant's tradition of modern American cuisine. New menu items will include roasted baby beet salad with passion fruit gelei, horseradish and ice wine mignonette; Maine Peekytoe crab salad with pickled peaches and Thai basil, caramelized beef tenderloin with cauliflower, paprika and mint and crispy Loup de Mer with zucchini, market tomatoes and balsamic.

The Oval Room features modern American cuisine and offers three dining rooms for daily lunch and dinner service Monday-Friday, and dinner service on Saturday with menu items ranging from $7 to $29. For reservations please call 202-463-8700 and visit www.ovalroom.com.

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