Terranea Resort Names Charles Olalia Chef de Cuisine of mar’sel

Terranea Resort Names Charles Olalia Chef de Cuisine of mar’sel
Chef Olalia Brings New Culinary Direction to Celebrated Los Angeles Restaurant

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, Calif. (Oct. 2, 2014) – Terranea Resort, A Destination Hotel, welcomes Charles Olalia as the new chef de cuisine of mar'sel, the resort’s signature restaurant. One of Los Angeles’ top dining destinations, mar’sel blends old world techniques with new world California cuisine in a spectacular seaside setting located along the prestigious Palos Verdes Peninsula.

“I’m excited to join mar’sel and the culinary team at Terranea Resort,” said Olalia. “mar’sel has an amazing reputation as one of Los Angeles’ best restaurants. I look forward to sharing my culinary vision to further enhance the restaurant’s standing and continuing to create the unique and exceptional dining experiences that mar’sel has become synonymous with.”

Now at the helm of mar’sel, Olalia has transformed the restaurant’s menu, preparing eclectic dishes using California cuisine infused with his Filipino heritage. The dynamic selections are seafood and produce-driven and encompass the chef’s global culinary expertise. Seasonal menu selections include: Dungeness Crab Chaud Froid with apples, walnut and pomegranate; Red Snapper in a banana salt crust with pickled papaya, coconut rice and lemongrass buerre blanc; Local Squid Adobo with Spanish vermicelli, jalapeno and bread puttu; and Gateaux Sans Rival, almond dacquoise, and rhum buttercream. The innovative cuisine is crafted using fresh and delectable organic ingredients, sourced locally from the Pacific and foraged from Terranea’s own gardens. In addition to the featured main menu, Olalia will be introducing a multi-course tasting menu, which will highlight the bounty of the sea and the local markets.

“Chef Charles is a wonderful addition to the Terranea team and shares the farm-to-table philosophy of the resort,” said Executive Chef Bernard Ibarra of Terranea Resort. “His menu is fresh and developed with a high respect for classic cuisine. His creativity and passion make for a very special experience and truly offers something for every palate.”

Prior to joining mar’sel, Olalia was the executive chef at Patina, Joachim Splichal’s flagship restaurant at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles. He has also worked with Guy Savoy, Thomas Keller and The Ritz Carlton Company.

Olalia draws inspiration from his family and enjoys bringing people together and creating special moments for guests and the community through his cuisine. In addition to his time spent in the kitchen, Olalia is dedicated to supporting and serving the philanthropic and culinary community. He donates his time to Midnight Mission as well as numerous other charitable food and wine events throughout Southern California. Olalia is a graduate of the International School for Culinary Arts and Hotel Management.

Chef Olalia's headshot, food images and b-roll can be accessed and downloaded here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2ifdmhwy6b45u8u/AAAfV6h6-KGmmO77Fz1enhOca?dl=0. B-roll is also available to view: http://youtu.be/76ySj4AX7jY.

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About mar’sel
Since its inception in 2009, mar’sel has achieved numerous awards and accolades including Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence, Best Fine Dining and Romantic Restaurant in the South Bay by Los Angeles Times Reader’s Choice Awards, Best Romantic Rendezvous by South Bay Magazine, Best Special Occasion Restaurant and Wine List by Palos Verdes Patch Reader’s Choice Awards, Best Décor by Zagat Los Angeles Restaurants Survey, and Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence. mar’sel continues to take part in prestigious food and wine events throughout Southern California and around the country such as Los Angeles Food & Wine, Los Angeles Times ‘The Taste,’ City of Hope, the annual Manhattan Beach Wine Auction and Cart for a Cause, Los Angeles. For additional information, please visit www.mar-sel.com or call 310.265.2780.

About Terranea Resort, A Destination Hotel
Opened June 2009, Terranea, Los Angeles’ premier oceanfront resort, will celebrate its five-year anniversary in 2014. Located on California’s Palos Verdes Peninsula, the resort offers unparalleled Pacific Ocean views and world-class accommodations and vacation rentals that range from hotel suites to bungalows, oceanfront casitas and luxurious villas, which are also available for purchase as seaside second homes through Terranea Real Estate. Amenities include The Links at Terranea, a nine-hole, par three golf course; award-winning 50,000 sq. ft. oceanfront spa and fitness center; three swimming pools and a 140-foot waterslide; marea luxury boutique; 135,000 sq. ft. of conference and meeting space; and eight dining venues, including signature restaurant mar'sel; Nelson's, a cliff-side spot ideal for whale watching; and Asian-inspired bashi. The oceanfront resort’s innovative activity center and adventure concierge, Pointe Discovery, lets guests discover and explore Terranea’s rich terrain with miles of scenic coastal trails, secluded beach cove and ocean environment. Fun, enriching programs and activities such as habitat photography, falconry, kayorkle and paddle boarding also abound. Terranea Resort is owned by a joint venture comprised of Lowe Enterprises and JC Resorts. A member of the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts program and AAA Four-Diamond property, Terranea Resort earned a spot on Condé Nast Traveler’s 2014 Gold List and was named one of Travel + Leisure’s 500 Best Hotels in the World for 2013. For additional information about Terranea Resort, visit www.terranea.com, call 866-802-8000 or follow Terranea on Facebook and Twitter.

About Destination Hotels
Destination Hotels (Destination) is a collection of luxury and upscale independent hotels, resorts and residences across the United States. Offering authentically-immersed and enriching experiences, each property is individual at heart, yet connected by a commitment to drawing upon the best of each location. Highly distinct, the Destination experience is always memorable and matchless; guests will feel the locale in a genuine way through each property and during the engaging moments cultivated both in and outside of them. Continuously growing with more than 40 properties from coast to coast, the award-winning portfolio features 20 renowned golf courses, 19 indigenous spas, and 130 exceptional bars and restaurants. Destination Hotels are true to our place; diverse by design. For more information, visit www.destinationhotels.com. Follow us on Twitter: @Destination. Like us on Facebook: DestinationHotels.