Hotel Viking’s Chef Kevin Thiele Named Rhode Island Chef of the Year

Hotel Viking's Chef Kevin Thiele was recently named Rhode Island Chef of the Year by the Rhode Island Hospitality and Tourism Association. The award was given on November 28, 2007 at the Stars of the Industry Awards Reception.

After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Culinary and Food Service Entrepreneurship from Johnson & Wales, Thiele started as a line cook at Hotel Viking's One Bellevue in 2004. and he is now responsible for creating the menus for One Bellevue and in-room dining; and supervising the culinary team for weddings, corporate gatherings and social events

A participant in Newport's numerous events, Thiele won 1st Place in the 2007 Newport Winter Festival's Chili Cook-Off, He was also a featured chef in the 8th Annual Kinsale Ireland Festival of Fine Food in March 2007, and was the first Rhode Island chef to be invited to participate in Flavors of Connecticut (2007), which benefits the American Liver Foundation. In May 2007, he was a participating chef in the 2nd Annual Rhode Island Chef SmackDown, a fundraising event for the American Institute of Wine and Food's "Days of Taste®" national program for schoolchildren. He is also involved with Share Our Strength's Great American Bake Sale to help end childhood hunger in Rhode Island