Puttin’ on the Ritz: César Ritz and His Hotels

“The King of Hoteliers,

and Hotelier to Kings.”

- Humble beginnings

- Wanderlust

- Training and early career

- Marriage and family

- The Ritz style

- Meets Escoffier

- First hotels

Cézar Ritz (1850-1918 )

Known Especially for 4 Great Hotels

The Savoy London, 1889

The Carlton London 1899

Hôtel Ritz, Paris 1898

Ritz HotelLondon, 1906

Hotels embodied Ritz’s values:

• Opulence and elegance

• Scrupulous Cleanliness

• Innovation

• Personalized Hospitality

“The customer is

always right.”

The Ritz Style

- Partnered with Ritz at all four hotels

- Father of modern French cuisine, emphasis on taste, appearance, colour.

- Made kitchens models of organized efficiency and decorum.

“Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness.”

Auguste Escoffier (1846-1935)

Peach MelbaNellie Melba

• Richard D’Oyley Carte

• Managed by Ritz, Escoffier

and Louis Echinard

• Success and influence

• Scandal!

Savoy Hotel

Savoy Hotel

Richard D’Oyley Carte

Savoy Hotel Today

• Operated as hotel1899-1940.

• Edward VII Coronation disaster

• Did not reopen as hotel after WW II

• Demolished, now site of New Zealand High Commission

The Carlton, London

• Place Vendôme, 1st

Arrondissement

• Small, exclusive (159 rooms)

• Louis XIV Façade

• Interior rooms originally like

Paris or London gentleman’s

clubs. Today, many suites

named for famous guests.

• Grand Marnier

• Tradition of Afternoon Tea

• L’École Culinaire Ritz-

Escoffier

Hôtel Ritz,, Paris

Hôtel Ritz,, Paris Then . . .

Hôtel Ritz,, Paris . . . And Now

• Famed as best place in

town for Afternoon Tea

• Small, cozy (111 rooms)

• Louis XIV Façade

• Opulent public spaces,

including its famous

Palm Court.

Ritz Hotel, London

Ritz Hotel, LondonThen . . .

Ritz Hotel, London. . . and Now

Ritz Hotel, London. . . and Now

Champagne and Grand Marnierat the Ritz

What’s the difference?

• Mimosas at the Paris Ritz

• Buck’s Fizz at the London Ritz

• The Grand Mimosa

The Peach MelbaPEACH MELBA

1 ½ cups water1 ¾ cups sugar2 tbsp lemon juice½ tsp vanilla extract4 peaches1 pint vanilla ice cream

Raspberry Sauce

1 ½ cups fresh raspberries2 tbsp confectioner’s sugar½ tbsp lemon juice