Renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and his partner Phil Suarez are teaming up with Starwood Hotels & Resorts and private equity firm Catterton Partners to launch an international, upscale restaurant and licensing business. The new company will own and operate (as well as license) restaurants developed by Jean-Georges Vongerichten. This will include the Spice Market in New York, new multi-unit restaurant concepts currently being developed as well as freestanding restaurants outside Starwood properties. Restaurant concepts will be developed for Starwood's higher-end brands, such as W, Westin, Le Meridien and St. Regis.
