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Celebrity's Suley switches to RCI as vp food & beverage

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John Suley - will oversee more than 265 restaurants aboard the Royal Caribbean fleet
John Suley, who has served as associate vp food and beverage operations for Celebrity Cruises, is moving to Royal Caribbean International as vp F&B operations, reporting to Mark Tamis, svp hotel operations.

Suley will oversee more than 265 restaurants aboard 23 RCI ships.

'John brings awesome experience and unmatched skill in delivering delicious dining experiences on land and at sea,' Tamis said. He added that Suley's 'high-energy leadership will continue to elevate the on-board dining experience' for Royal Caribbean passengers.

At Celebrity Suley led all menu development and implementation, chef recruitment and training. Most recently, he was instrumental in the brand’s many recognitions in the Wine Spectator 2014 Restaurant Wine List Awards, as well as the launch of suite-class restaurant Luminae.

Prior to joining Celebrity in 2011, Suley was the executive chef at three-time James Beard Award-winner Alfred Portale’s Gotham Bar and Grill in New York City and Gotham Steak, formerly at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Suley also has worked at high-profile hospitality brands, including the Ritz-Carlton South Beach, Waldorf Astoria and St. Regis Hotels, and alongside some of the world’s most accomplished chefs, including Daniel Boulud.

Suley was named James Beard Foundation 'Rising Star Chef' nominee in 2010 and 'Rising Star Chef of American Cuisine' in 2007.

He is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America.

As earlier reported, Brian Abel, who was RCI's vp food & beverage operations, has moved to head hotel operations at Celebrity as vp.