Rock Creek

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Rock Creek Taps Ris Lacoste as A Consultant Chef for Strategic Planning and The Opening of The New Mazza Gallerie Location

Washington, D.C. (January 29, 2007)-Rock Creek partners Tom Williams and Judith Hammerschmidt are pleased to announce the formation of a strategic alliance with renowned Washington Chef Ris Lacoste. Lacoste will be assisting with the spring launch of their second restaurant, Rock Creek Mazza, located in Friendship Heights at 5300 Wisconsin Avenue, NW in Mazza Gallerie. Lacoste will serve as a member of the Rock Creek opening team and as such, will assist in all aspects of the restaurant's expansion. This includes naming a new chef and recruiting the management team for the Mazza location, as well as consulting on menu development and staff training

"We have known and admired Ris Lacoste for quite awhile, as she brought 1789 Restaurant to new heights as a landmark restaurant during her 10-year tenure there, and we are very fortunate to be able to engage her as a consulting chef on our latest endeavor, the opening of a second Rock Creek," say Williams and Hammerschmidt. "We believe she will bring energy, excitement and considerable knowledge to our concept, helping us to take our restaurant to the next level."

The flagship Rock Creek opened in 2005 at 4917 Elm Street in Bethesda, Maryland specializing in "conscious cuisine". Rock Creek lists all nutritional information for each dish on the back page of its menu, an amenity that has won it widespread popularity with the dining audience of Washington and beyond. In explaining the concept Hammerschmidt states, "our food is about being as kind to the body as it is to the palate. We pay attention to what is on each plate, from the portion size to the fat content in a manner that is pleasing to our guests."

Rock Creek's Bethesda Chef Frederick Pryzborowski exclaims, "Ris Lacoste is an important figure in the nation's capital's dining scene. I am excited to work with her in Bethesda, and I know the new chef we will hire to lead the kitchen at Mazza will also enjoy her input and depth of knowledge and experience."

Chef Lacoste, who will be opening her own restaurant in downtown Washington in late 2007, comments, "I am very taken with Rock Creek's concept. "Food in America needs to go in this direction: delicious, fresh and beautiful, yet mindful and healthful. I am delighted to have this opportunity to work with the Rock Creek team as they expand their realm in the community."

Chef Ris Lacoste can we reached at ris@rislacoste.com.

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