The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, September 6, 2013 – Benchmark Hospitality International?, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has named Ender Oktayuren executive chef for World of Whirlpool, located in the historic Reid Murdoch Building in the River North area of Chicago. Ken Jesina, conference center manager for World of Whirlpool, Whirlpool Corporation’s flagship brand and product experience center for influencers in the appliance industry, made the announcement.
“It is a pleasure to welcome Ender to the leadership team here at the World of Whirlpool,” said Mr. Jesina. “He has been with us for a year and a half as sous chef and we are delighted with his internal promotion to leader of the food and beverage brigade.” Jesina continued with, “This is an outstanding example of why we say Benchmark Builds Futures.”
Chef Ender Oktayuren brought 13 years of exemplary culinary experience to Benchmark Hospitality International when he joined the team at World of Whirlpool in the fall of 2011. He served as sous chef prior to his recent promotion, and gained a stellar reputation for a cooking style of refined farm-to-table freshness and flavor, seasonal offerings, with a distinctive French culinary influence. Prior to joining Benchmark Hospitality at World of Whirlpool, Chef Oktayuren served as head line cook for Sixteen Restaurant at Trump International Hotel & Towers in Chicago.
Mr. Oktayuren has an Associates Degree in Applied Science in Culinary Arts with High Honors from Joliet Junior College. He and his family reside in Homewood, Illinois.