(San Francisco, CA; April 6, 2010)� InterContinental Hotels of San Francisco announces the appointment of Christophe Depuischaffray as the new executive chef for the InterContinental San Francisco. His is also currently the executive chef at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco. Bringing more than 25 years of international experience to the hotels, Depuichaffray will head the corporate and in-room dining at both properties. 

Born and raised on a farm in the Loire Valley in central France, Depuischaffray�s future career as a chef was apparent at an early age and he developed an appreciation for great food and wine while cooking with his mother. Later, his studies at the Lycee d�Hoteliere et Tourisme de Val de Loire Blois, France, earned him a Certificate of Culinary Professional Aptitude and a Diploma of Culinary Professional Education and he cooked his way across Europe working in kitchens from France to England to Germany. 

A desire to explore the cooking regions beyond Europe led him across the Atlantic to Bermuda and Canada for four years before returning to his roots and working with One-Michelin starred restaurants in France and Germany. In 1994, Depuischaffray joined the InterContinental Hotels Group as the Fine Dining Chef at The Grill Restaurant in Cairo, Egypt. He later moved to the InterContinental Manila in the Philippines and the Grand InterContinental Hotel in South Korea. After spending a few years as Executive Chef at the Caravelle Hotel in Vietnam, he rejoined the InterContinental Hotels Group in Madrid and later moved to San Francisco to assume the roll of Executive Chef at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco. 

Along with his vast knowledge of day-to-day kitchen operations and a worldly view of the culinary arts, Depuischaffray has had a multitude of other culinary exposures including, a guest-chef appearance on the international hit television show �Yan Can Cook.� 

At the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco, a 380-room property with two historic ballrooms and over 19,000 square feet of meeting space, Depuischaffray takes charge of the kitchens and menus for banquet events up to 1,200 people, in-room dining, and the legendary Top Of The Mark sky lounge. As Executive Chef at the 550-room InterContinental San Francisco, Depuichaffray spearheads the kitchen operations and menu design for corporate and social events in over 43,000 square feet of meeting space.

For more information on the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco please visit www.intercontinentalmarkhopkins.com and for more information on the InterContinental San Francisco, please visit www.intercontinentalsanfrancisco.com. 

About the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco
The InterContinental Mark Hopkins is a historic landmark hotel at the crest of illustrious Nob Hill and conveniently located at the intersection of 3 cable car lines. Just minutes away from the financial and theatre districts as well as Union Square and Chinatown, the hotel features 380 luxurious rooms including 31 suites and featuring 5 specialty suites. Featuring 2 historic ballrooms and 19 meeting rooms, the hotel offers 19,000 sq. ft. of versatile event space. It is also home to the legendary Top Of The Mark sky lounge, famed for its panoramic views and 100 Martinis menu. For reservations please call 415.392.3434 or visit www.intercontinentalmarkhopkins.com for more information.

About InterContinental San Francisco
The InterContinental San Francisco opened in February 2008 at Howard and 5th streets next to Moscone West Convention Center. The hotel towers 32 stories above the heart of the City and features 550 rooms, 14 suites, 43,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space with natural light, a critically acclaimed restaurant destination wine restaurant, Grappa-focused bar, ten-room treatment spa, full-service fitness center, and an indoor lap pool. For more information and to make reservations, contact the InterContinental San Francisco, 888 Howard Street, San Francisco, Calif.  94103, at 415.616.6500 or 888.811.4273 or by visiting www.intercontinentalsanfrancisco.com.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) of the United Kingdom [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)] is one of the world's largest hotel groups by number of rooms.