New Banyan Tree Chef Antony Scholtmeyer At The Ritz - Carlton, Kapalua

New Banyan Tree Chef de Cuisine Antony Scholtmeyer plays it anything but safe with sexy contemporary Australian cuisine with French and Japanese influences at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua in Maui. Drawing from his classic training at leading restaurants in Australia to less formal influences learned at home from his Japanese wife, Michiyo, Chef Scholtmeyer finds it exciting to walk on the wild side in the kitchen of the resort’s signature restaurant.

“I love eating as much as cooking,” said Chef Scholtmeyer. “I don’t think dining should be safe, but a sexy blend of flavors and textures to create an exciting and sensual experience.”

Before joining the AAA Four Diamond Banyan Tree restaurant, he led the culinary team at the acclaimed Snappers restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, where the offerings were named the “most innovative menu” in the city according to Wine and Dine magazine. The publication also raved that “every bite was an epiphany” and awarded Snappers with a two-star rating, the most of any restaurant in the city.

At The Banyan Tree, Chef Scholtmeyer presents several of his signature dishes, including an appetizing pairing of scallops topped with Hudson Valley foie gras in a shimeji scented miso consommi. For an entrie, a grilled shutome medallion is served with Maui onion salad, French lentil and sweet potato dahl and spiced tomato nage. Chef Scholtmeyer’s specialties extend to dessert with black truffle parfait with a honey and white pepper cigar.

Before joining The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. in 2002, Chef Scholtmeyer was the executive chef of two well-known restaurants in Brisbane, Australia: Epicurean and Jameson’s. At the latter, he received several accolades including being featured as one of the “new breed of Australian chefs” by Gourmet magazine and was named one of the top 50 chefs in Australia by that country’s respected food critics Mietta O’Donnell and Tony Knox.

Prior to working in Brisbane, Chef Scholtmeyer worked at Harvest Restaurant in Japan after spending a year cooking in prestigious hotel restaurants in England. His culinary career began in Melbourne, Australia where he worked in several of the city’s leading restaurants.

The Banyan Tree, with its panoramic views of the island of Moloka’i and the Pailolo Channel, offers not only a spectacular location, but an extraordinary culinary adventure. Chef de Cuisine Antony Scholtmeyer’s cuisine and open-air setting are enhanced by the sounds of Ranga Pae, a world-fusion duo who are masters at playing exotic Pacific Island instruments.

Hawaii’s premier golf resort, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua is surrounded by 54 holes of championship golf in the midst of a scenic pineapple plantation. Overlooking a pristine white sand beach, the 548-room Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua is located just minutes from historic Lahaina. For information or reservations, please call the hotel directly at (808) 669-6200, toll free at (800) 262-8440, a travel professional, or visit The Ritz-Carlton Web site at www.ritzcarlton.com.

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