Melissa Paston is named catering sales manager for The Kitano New York Hotel’s food and beverage operations and the hotel’s new full-service restaurant and performance venue, JAZZ at KITANO. Paston brings 15 years of hotel catering sales experience to New York’s only Japanese-owned, boutique property with an array of event and meetings capabilities that effortlessly blend gracious Japanese hospitality with one of New York City’s most vibrant locations.
Paston, who began her career at The Kitano, returns to oversee the selling and planning of corporate meetings, social events, weddings and celebrations in the property’s diverse function spaces. The hotel’s offerings range from intimate, Japanese-inspired celebrations catered by the onsite, Michelin-rated Hakubai restaurant to grand events in the 18th floor Penthouse Suite offering terraces and stunning views of the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings. In addition, the new JAZZ at KITANO, located in a historic Rockefeller townhouse adjacent to the hotel, can accommodate up to 80 guests for meetings or cocktail receptions.
“We are thrilled to have Melissa join our team and continue the success of The Kitano’s dedicated sales team and culinary operations,” said General Manager Clement Carey. “Her devoted passion for customer service in catering sales is paramount to her achievements over the past 15 years.”
Most recently, Paston was catering sales manager at the Hilton Time Square. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Paston took on her first role as catering sales manager at The Kitano in 1997 as a fitting combination for her interests in marketing, sales, culinary operations and customer service. She has also held positions at the W New York and W New York – The Court.
The Kitano New York opened its doors in 1973 as New York’s first Japanese hotel. Thirty-nine years later it remains the first and only Japanese-owned hotel and has become an integral part of one of Manhattan’s historic neighborhoods, Murray Hill. Located four blocks south of Grand Central Station on fashionable Park Avenue at 38th Street, the 18-story hotel towers over some of New York City’s most magnificent turn-of-the-century dwellings, offering spectacular views of city landmarks. The hotel features 149 guestrooms, including 17 contemporary suites and a one-of-a-kind Japanese Tatami Suite. Known for an acclaimed jazz program, The Kitano is now home to JAZZ at KITANO, a supper club located in a former Rockefeller townhouse adjacent to the hotel. The inviting and intimate space features daily performances of classic and contemporary jazz accompanied by a Pan-Asian inspired menu. The Kitano New York is also home to the critically acclaimed Michelin-rated Hakubai restaurant where traditional Kaiseki delicacies are served.. The Kitano New York is a member of Summit Hotels & Resorts, a consortium of deluxe hotels worldwide. For more information, contact The Kitano New York at 212-885-7000, 1-800-548-2666 or log onto www.kitano.com <http://www.kitano.com/> .
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