The Josie Hotel, Autograph Collection and The Velvet Restaurant and Lounge in Rossland, British Columbia welcomes Takashi Harada as their new executive chef.
No stranger to hospitality and resorts, Chef Harada has worked in destination hotels and resorts around the world such as Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts in Vancouver (under well-known Canadian chef Ned Bell), Tokyo, Lanai (Hawaii), Hualalai (Hawaii), St. Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean, and most recently, the Farimont Jasper Park Lodge. A self-professed ski enthusiast, he also looks forward to hitting the slopes at RED Mountain Resort with The Josie just steps away.
“Rossland is such a special town, and everyone is so friendly.” says Chef Harada. “There are so many activities to explore. I’ve already taken my kids on the hiking and mountain biking trails and we can’t wait to ski at RED this winter.”
At the age of ten, Chef Harada began his culinary career by his mother’s side in the kitchen. Making simple traditional Japanese dishes with his mother, he learned the importance of approaching cooking in an orderly, step-by-step fashion. “We often forget the complexity of each individual ingredient.” says Chef Harada. “It’s important to slow down and appreciate the ingredients, and it’s my goal to bring this philosophy of cooking and teaching to the kitchen at The Velvet Restaurant and Lounge. If I could sum up my cooking style, it would be bold and flavourful, while still simple and approachable.”
Chef Harada plans to continue focusing on special culinary events. “I’m excited to work with the team to build on the culinary programming,” says Chef Harada. “I grew up in Richmond [BC] and was spoiled for choice with the Asian culinary scene. I’d love to share this diversity with our guests at The Velvet Restaurant and Lounge.”
In addition to The Velvet Restaurant and Lounge, Chef Harada oversees culinary for banquets and events as well as in-room dining at The Josie hotel.
To arrange interviews with Chef Takashi Harada, please contact Lesley Chang at Lesley.Chang@tartanbond.com or by phone at 604-603-4022
About The Josie Hotel, Autograph Collection
Experience the true soul exhilaration of living for today at the Josie. The Josie is a boutique ski-in, ski-out hotel located at the base of RED Mountain Resort (RED) in Rossland, British Columbia. With 106 guest rooms and suites, crackling fire pits, a premier spa, fitness facility and ski concierge services; The Josie merges boutique accommodations with authentic RED Mountain adventure and the distinct spirit of Rossland. The destination hotel boasts more than 2,500 square feet of unique venue space and an adjoining terrace, all with stunning vistas of RED and the Rossland range. The Velvet Restaurant and Lounge, Josie’s full-service dining establishment, serves locally-inspired craft cooking. To meet Josie, please visit thejosie.com and follow @thejosiehotel.
About Autograph Collection Hotels
Autograph Collection Hotels advocates for the original, championing the individuality of each of its 200+ independent hotels located in the most desirable destinations across more than 30 countries and territories. Each hotel is a product of passion and a personal realization of its individual founder’s vision, making each hotel singular and special: Exactly Like Nothing Else. Hand-selected for their inherent craft and distinct perspectives on design and hospitality, Autograph Collection hotels offer rich immersive moments that leave a lasting imprint. For more information, please visit www.autographhotels.com, and explore our social media channels on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to be inspired by immersive moments that are #ExactlyLikeNothingElse. Autograph Collection Hotels is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com
Further information
Samantha Geer
Lesley Chang