Trumbull Marriott Merritt Parkway Hotel in Trumbull, CT Senior Sous Chef Wins 1st at Sun WineFest

Trumbull, CT – March 25, 2010 – Michael Dunton, Senior Sous Chef at the Trumbull Marriott Merritt Parkway hotel in Fairfield, CT, has won first place at Sun WineFest '10, the largest wine and food show in Connecticut, it was announced today by Paul McNeil, General Manager of the Trumbull hotel and restaurant.

Chef Dunton discovered an interest in cooking at a very young age and started training as soon as possible by attending Shawsheen Technical High School's culinary program. He got his first job as a bus boy and prep cook at a family restaurant at age 14, and went on to study at Johnson and Wales University as well as Fisher College.

Upon graduation, Chef Dunton started working at the Marriott in Quincy, MA and was quickly promoted up the ranks through various Marriott hotels in Massachusetts before joining the Trumbull Marriott Merritt Parkway hotel restaurant in Connecticut. Working under Executive Chef Thomas Szymanowicz, Chef Dunton collaborates on fun and familiar menu items for J Porter's Restaurant at the Fairfield County hotel using techniques and presentations not often seen in a hotel restaurant setting.

According to Chef Szymanowicz, his culinary vision for the hotel's restaurant is based upon a number of menu items smoked or cured in-house. The kitchen currently cures and smokes salmon in house; makes fresh bacon cut from whole pork belly, and house-smokes pork ribs. Specialties of the house include Applewood Smoked Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf, Smoked and Slow Roasted Pork Butt for Pulled Pork, and Smoked Prime Rib Nachos.

J Porter's Restaurant serves American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For reservations or additional dining information, call 203-378-1400 or visit www.marriotttrumbull.com.

ABOUT THE TRUMBULL MARRIOTT MERRITT PARKWAY:
The hotel has recently undergone an extensive guest room renovation creating accommodations that are the ultimate in state-of-the-art technology and comfort. Rooms now feature Marriott's trademark Revive® bedding with plush down comforters and Egyptian cotton sheets, premium cable television channels, coffee and tea making service, pull-out sofa beds, high-speed Internet access, and much more. The hotel features both indoor and outdoor pools as well as two restaurants: Porter's Restaurant or On the Rox by the pool (seasonal). For additional information about the Trumbull Marriott Merritt Parkway hotel and restaurant in Fairfield County, CT, call 203-378-1400 or visit www.marriotttrumbull.com.