Executive Chef Nkulenu Brings Inter-Continental Flair to Bethesda Marriott

BETHESDA, Md. - The Bethesda Marriott recently named George Nkulenu their new executive chef. A 23-year Marriott veteran, Chef Nkulenu brings with him experience in culinary design from around the globe and plans to take the newly renovated Agio restaurant and the hotel’s banquet services “to a new level.”

“My goal is to bring in more local customers to enjoy the best food and service that Marriott has to offer for an affordable price,” says Chef Nkulenu. “I’m creating new menus, using high quality food and creative presentations from continents across the globe where I have built my skills. I want local patrons to know that there is a new chef in town at Agio.”

Agio was developed as part of a $2.1M renovation and offers the best of Italian-American cuisine. Agio has a relaxing yet cosmopolitan atmosphere with all the décor you’d expect at a trendy gathering place. The space is designed so that couples can enjoy an intimate dinner for two, or families can sit around a larger table for gatherings of their own. Agio also offers a private dinning room, where groups can dine or meet behind closed doors without distraction. Chef Nkulenu is already planning signature wine dinners where vintners from select regions of Italy will be hosting wine tastings. The menu those evenings will be made up of specially created food pairings developed by Chef Nkulenu to compliment the wines that will be presented.

Chef Nkulenu’s cooking career began as a child, helping his mother in their kitchen growing up in Ghana. After graduating from Kumasi Polytechnic with a certificate in catering, he joined his aunt’s catering business. He and his aunt not only catered, but developed canned, prepared foods under their own label that they sold for export to Europe and the United States.

Chef Nkulenu’s quest to learn new skills took him to a variety of culinary destinations throughout Europe, including Austria and Switzerland, and later to Bermuda and the United States, where he worked for a variety of hotels, resorts, and a country club. Chef Nkulenu credits exposure to these various cultures for his unique cooking style and presentation.

Since joining Marriott in 1985, he has held a variety of culinary positions beginning at the Tysons Corner hotel. He later moved to Rancho Las Palmas Resort in Palm Springs, and then to the Washington Marriott, the Georgetown University Conference Hotel, and the Gaithersburg Washingtonian Center. Chef Nkulenu describes his experience at Marriott as “exciting” as he has been able to cook for world leaders and celebrities, such as President Bill Clinton, First Lady Laura Bush, Prime Minister Tony Blair and others.

Chef Nkulenu is not only passionate about food, but about working within the community. He was recently part of a panel of judges who oversaw a student culinary competition from high schoolers who attend Thomas Edison High School as part of Skills USA. These hospitality students were judged on their culinary food preparation, knowledge, and service. “This fits right into my upbringing—learn, learn, learn,” says Chef Nkulenu. “By the time I was high school aged, I knew the culinary arts were for me. I’d like to develop a program for these hospitality students that will boost their exposure and knowledge.”

Chef Nkulenu invites the public to join him at Agio for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Call 301-828-2017 or visit http://www.agiobethesda.com for reservations.

The Bethesda Marriott is celebrating its 30th anniversary of service to the community this year. The Bethesda hotel completed extensive renovations recently that included the addition of a new ballroom, newly redecorated guest rooms, and fitness center. This hotel in Bethesda boasts 27 meeting rooms and 18,500 square feet of total meeting space. More details can be found at http://www.bethesdamarriott.com. The hotel is located at 5151 Pooks Hill Road, Bethesda, MD.

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