LA QUINTA, Calif. (August 24, 2010) � La Quinta Resort & Club has appointed Stephen Strickland as executive chef for the award-winning property located in Southern California�s famed Palm Springs area. Strickland will oversee the day-to-day culinary operations for the 45-acre, 796-room property, which is world-renowned as one of the top golf and tennis destinations in the U.S.

�Stephen brings more than 15 years of food and luxury hospitality experience to La Quinta Resort, as well as his strong leadership, professionalism and creative spirit � all of which make him a great asset to our talented culinary team,� said Jay Kriske, La Quinta Resort�s director of food & beverage.

Strickland will be in charge of a staff of 80 and seven dining venues � including TWENTY6, an all-day modern American bistro; Adobe Grill, serving authentic regional Mexican cuisine; Ernie�s Bar & Grill and Wallaby�s West at PGA WEST; Mountain Dunes Golf Clubhouse; and Centre Court Café. He will also oversee spa and in-room dining and banquet operations for the resort�s expansive indoor and outdoor event spaces. 

Most recently, Strickland was the executive chef of banquets for Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center, a 2,000-room property at National Harbor in Maryland. During his tenure there, he orchestrated two inaugural balls held in honor of President Obama. Already familiar with desert living, he was previously the executive chef of Carefree Resort & Villas in the Arizona foothills of the Sonoran Desert, where he revamped its signature venue, The Lariat Grill, to offer a menu with Southwestern and Native American influences and local ingredients. 

Prior to that, Strickland spent nine years with The Ritz-Carlton Hotels & Resorts, working as the executive chef for the company�s flagship property in Puerto Rico and banquet chef for its Five-Star, Five Diamond resort in Naples, Fla,. He was also garde manger chef for its luxury business hotel in Atlanta, Ga. 

A native of Pittsburgh, Strickland is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Institute of Culinary Arts in Pittsburg, and a member of the American Culinary Federation and Chaine des Rotisseurs USA. He lives in La Quinta with his wife Julianna and two children. In his spare time, Strickland enjoys cycling, golfing, exploring new wines, eating Thai cuisine, cooking with friends, and traveling. 

About La Quinta Resort & Club and PGA WEST
La Quinta Resort & Club and PGA WEST feature world-class accommodations, dining, golf, tennis and fitness. Known as The Western Home of Golf and Hospitality in America®, the world renowned destination is home to 90 holes of award-winning golf courses � designed by legends Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye, Greg Norman and Tom Weiskopf � as well as instruction at the Jim McLean Golf School. In addition to great golf, La Quinta Resort features 796 elegantly appointed casitas, suites and villas; 23 tennis courts; the 23,000-square-foot Spa La Quinta® with 41 pools and 53 hot spas; and exceptional cuisine at Morgan�s in the desert, TWENTY6 and Adobe Grill. La Quinta Resort & Club is a member of The Waldorf Astoria Collection. For more information, visit www.laquintaresort.com. 

About Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
WALDORF ASTORIA is Hilton Worldwide�s luxury brand of landmark hotels, with each one as singular and timeless as the brand�s namesake, The Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York. From classic elegance to modern grandeur, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Waldorf Astoria Collection hotels each represent worldly sophistication and unparalleled guest service. From sumptuous spas and culinary excellence to world-class golf, each hotel & resort offers the exquisite accommodations and signature accoutrements that define refinement and sophistication. Discover Waldorf Astoria by visiting www.waldorfastoria.com. 

 About Hilton Worldwide 
Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels.  For 91 years, Hilton Worldwide has been offering business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value.  The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands.  Its brands are comprised of more than 3,600 hotels and 592,000 rooms in 81 countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations.  The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. For more information about the company, please visit www.hiltonworldwide.com.