Jim Barnett is executive chef for The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, a 455-room, 33-story historic hotel that reopens on October 1, 2008, following a $200 million restoration. In his executive food and beverage role, Chef Barnett is responsible for all culinary operations for the hotel, including the 125-seat restaurant, The Boulevard Room as well as the legendary “Motor Bar”. Barnett also will oversee the hotel’s 24-hour, in-room dining services, the gourmet “grab-n-go” coffee outlet, banquets and catering, and all menu content and execution.

Prior to signing on with the Westin Book Cadillac, Barnett was the executive chef for Birmingham’s Townsend Hotel where he managed the full array of culinary services at The Rugby Grille and at the hotel’s nighttime hotspot, The Corner. Mr. Barnett also oversaw all catering services for The Townsend Hotel.

Prior to joining the Townsend in 2005, Mr. Barnett was a corporate executive chef and caterer with Matt Prentice Restaurant Group. There he handled operations at venues such as the North American International Auto Show and many prominent Detroit restaurants.

Before moving to Michigan in 1992, Mr. Barnett developed a talent for preparing fresh fish with work on both American coasts. He served as executive chef at both Big Rocco’s and Hudson’s At The Beach in Hilton Head, S.C. Prior to that, he spent seven years with Robert & Michaels Mélange Inc. in Redondo Beach, Calif. Other work includes executive chef positions at four-star Seattle eatery The Mirabeau Restaurant, Café Pierpont in Salt Lake City, and Gilbert & Robinson Restaurants in Kansas City, Mo.

Mr. Barnett is a 1978 graduate of Johnson & Wales College in Providence, R.I., where he earned a degree in culinary arts. He also received training in hotel and restaurant management from the University of Missouri, Columbia. Mr. Barnett was named Operation Frontline “Chef of the Year” for the Midwest in 2000 and has served five years as culinary chair for Detroit Share our Strength’s “Taste of the Nation” event.

For more information please visit: www.westin.com/bookcadillac