BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., July 29, 2008 � Hilton Garden Inn, one of the fastest growing brands within the Hilton Family of Hotels, announced today the launch of new signature items for breakfast that go far beyond the proverbial egg-white omelet with the �BIG DAY Breakfast�� menu.  With the help of former professional athlete turned �Top Chef� star, Chris Jacobson (CJ), the brand has further enhanced its breakfast offering with three distinctive recipes specifically designed to give busy travelers the stamina and nutrition they need to tackle their big day. 

The �BIG DAY Breakfast�� � a truly unique breakfast offering among hotel brands in the mid-priced category � will be available at participating Hilton Garden Inn locations throughout North America starting September 1, 2008.  Additional menu items will be introduced over time.

The �BIG DAY Breakfast�� is loaded with ingredients rich in iron, fiber, omega-3 essential fatty acids, vitamins, antioxidants and other nutrients.  The enhanced breakfast menu was born out of the desire to provide guests with a flavorful way to start their big day while helping to provide them with energy and stamina. 

New breakfast choices in the �BIG DAY Breakfast�� menu feature: 

• CJ�s Signature Waffle � Hilton Garden Inn �Many Grain� Waffle with Freshly-made Blueberry Thyme Compote. 
• The Hearty Hash �Brisket Hash with Fresh Kale, Grilled Whole Grain Bread and Poached Egg served with Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes.  Tofu is available for those looking for a vegetarian option. 
• A portable �wrap� version will also be available as part of the menu for travelers on-the-go.
• Great Granola & Flax � Granola and Flaxseed Parfait with Plain Yogurt, Fresh Strawberries and Honey. 

The first in a series of menu items to be announced this year, Hilton Garden Inn plans to focus its efforts on a number of brand-wide partnerships and programs aimed at ensuring guests eat well on the road.  Working with �Top Chef� star and former volleyball professional athlete, CJ, seemed a natural fit for the brand given their longstanding sponsorship with the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals), USA Volleyball and its players.  Who better to understand the importance of breakfast before a big day than an athlete turned professional chef? 

�From the Great Granola & Flax to The Hearty Hash, the recipes I created with HGI are all about giving guests maximum energy and nutrition in a way that is new, flavorful and fun,� says CJ.  �When designing the menu for HGI, I relied heavily on my own nutritional habits both on the road and as a professional athlete.�

In addition to the enhanced �BIG DAY Breakfast�� menu, Hilton Garden Inn also features the 24-hour Pavilion Pantry® mini mart featuring a variety of snacks, microwaveable meals, a selection of beverage options and sundries.  To help guests maintain their fitness regime, Hilton Garden Inn locations offer a complimentary workout facility featuring state-of-the-art cardiovascular and strength training equipment, swimming pool and whirlpool, and the complimentary Stay Fit Kits® that can be checked out from the hotel front desk which feature core, Yoga and Pilates workouts that guests can do in the privacy of their own room. 

The  �BIG DAY Breakfast�� complements the brand�s current advertising campaign, �Tomorrow�s a Big Day,� which was developed to communicate the brand�s commitment to its hotel guests � understanding the importance of every day.  Whether guests are staying at the hotel for business or are simply in town for fun, Hilton Garden Inn has brought the guest to the forefront of the brand�s marketing campaign.  As part of the �Big Day� advertising and marketing campaign and with more than 380 Hilton Garden Inn locations across North America and Europe, the upscale mid-priced brand will continue to bring programs and partnerships designed to help guests prepare for their big days ahead.

About Chris Jacobson 
Chris Jacobson, better known as �CJ�, is a private chef who has worked for the likes of author and columnist Arianna Huffington and the Marciano family of the Guess Corporation.  CJ also competed on Season 3 of Bravo�s hit reality show �Top Chef�, where he distinguished himself through his approachable yet competitive spirit.  A former player with the USA National Volleyball team and standing a mere 6' 8", CJ approaches the culinary world with the utmost of confidence, having developed a love and appreciation for food while playing professionally in Europe.  He graduated from the California School of Culinary Arts � Le Cordon Bleu and holds a degree from Pepperdine University in Southern California.  His earlier culinary career includes cooking at Axe, Wolfgang Puck Catering and Campanile.    He currently resides in Venice, California and is working on opening a restaurant in Chicago called Town and Country. 

About Hilton Garden Inn 
Hilton Garden Inn is the award-winning, mid-priced brand that continually strives to ensure today�s busy travelers have everything they need to be most productive on the road � from complimentary wired and Wi-Fi Internet access in all guestrooms and PrintSpotsTM mobile printing to the hotel�s complimentary 24-hour business center to one of the most comfortable beds you will ever experience with the Garden Sleep System®.  So whether on the road for personal or business reasons, Hilton Garden Inn offers the amenities and services for travelers to sleep deep, stay fit, eat well and work smart while away from home.  For more information on Hilton Garden Inn locations across North America and Europe, visit www.HGI.com.

Hilton Garden Inn Brand Communications
Agnes Sibal, 310-205-4545
[email protected]
 http://www.HGI.com