Celebrity chef joins Continental Airlines Congress of Chefs

Continental Airlines announced the addition of Chef Bryan Caswell, owner of REEF and Little Bigs restaurants in Houston, to its Congress of Chefs. Caswell joins the 14-member congress, including top chefs Roy Yamaguchi of Roy’s Restaurant; Michael Cordua of Americas, Churrascos, Artista and Amazon Grill in Houston; James Canora of the original Del Monico’s in New York City; and Paul Minnillo of The Baricelli Inn in Cleveland.

"Continental is pleased to welcome Bryan Caswell to our Congress of Chefs," said Sandra Pineau, Continental’s staff vice president of food services. "We will draw on Bryan’s extensive culinary knowledge and world travels to continue to provide the best possible dining experience for our passengers."

Having won numerous awards for its international BusinessFirst service, Continental’s Congress of Chefs and Sommeliers carefully select menus and wines for each country the airline serves. The Congress of Chefs provide creative direction and offer new ways to keep menus updated to reflect current food trends. As a result, Continental’s menus are a fusion of world foods and flavors, derived from the regions where service is offered. In addition to restaurant chefs, the Congress includes airline chefs, caterers and food suppliers.

"I am honored to be included alongside so many accomplished chefs as part of the Congress of Chefs. I look forward to contributing my culinary experience and passion for food to Continental’s award-winning menus," said Caswell.

Caswell attended the renowned Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. While there, he secured a coveted externship under Chef Jose Muneisa at ViaVeneto in Barcelona, Spain. Following graduation, Caswell continued apprenticeships under New York’s finest, including Aureole Chef Charlie Palmer and Gotham Bar and Grill Chef Alfred Portale. He also worked alongside celebrated Union Pacific Chef Rocco DiSpiritio.

Under the tutelage of Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, owner of Restaurant Jean-Georges in Trump Tower, Caswell worked at Jean-Georges restaurants in Hong Kong, Bangkok and Paradise Island. Caswell then joined the renowned Houston-based Pappas Restaurants, where he developed recipes, established cooking and training procedures, provided problem solving support and executed special events.

Prior to opening REEF, Caswell was the chef at Bank, a Jean-Georges restaurant, in Houston’s historic Icon Hotel. While there, Caswell helped propel the restaurant to national acclaim. Caswell is currently a semi-finalist for the 2009 James Beard Award for Best Chef – Southwest and was also selected as the 2008 Restaurateur of the Year and 2008 Chef of the Year by My Table Magazine. REEF has been featured in numerous publications including Bon Appetit Magazine, which named REEF the top seafood restaurant in the U.S. in December 2008.

Hats off to Continental Airlines, the only major U.S. airline to offer complimentary meals at meal times in economy class. The airline’s BusinessFirst meal service includes a wide variety of delicious menu selections as well as premium wines and champagne.