October 18, 2002
For Immediate release

Contact: Heather Freeman

              (800) 987-9806

               www.heatherfreeman.com

 

 

Christopher Vazquez Named General Manager Of Zaytinya

 

Washington, D.C.—Robert Alvarez, Rob Wilder and José Andrés are pleased to announce the appointment of Christopher Vazquez as General Manager of Zaytinya, the stunning new Mediterranean restaurant located at 701 9th Street, NW at Edison Place. This new destination restaurant opens October 14th featuring cuisine from Greece, Turkey and Lebanon.  Vazquez has worked with restaurateurs Roberto Alvarez and Rob Wilder for the past five years at their downtown Jaleo, where he most recently served as general manager from 2000 to 2002.  He has also been instrumental in the launching of Zaytinya, which is a

$3 million restaurant with an opening staff of approximately 100.

 

Born in 1969 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Vazquez has spent most of his life in the Metropolitan Washington area.  A graduate of George Mason University, Christopher earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in acting /directing.
Today the restaurant world is his theater and Vazquez is responsible for staffing and training Zaytinya’s team.  With such emphasis placed on details, he also spearheaded a new relationship with Washington’s Bead Museum at 400 7th Street NW, commissioning handmade necklaces created with Turkish beads for each member of the staff, adding yet another authentic touch for Zaytinya.  

 

"The restaurant scene is all about putting on a good show," says Vazquez. "We have costumes, scripts, lighting, producers, entrances and exits and above all an important audience."


In addition to the daily restaurant operations, Christopher coordinates and collaborates with Chef José Andrés for off premise events for local charities such as DC Central Kitchen.  He is also an avid gardener raising herbs and vegetables plus exotic game and waterfowl with his partner, on their farm in Maryland.