Lenotre students recently had the opportunity to visit Thompson Houston, a luxury boutique hotel nestled along Buffalo Bayou Park near downtown Houston. Part of the prestigious Hyatt Thompson brand, the hotel is known for its modern design, upscale dining experiences, and expansive event spaces offering stunning panoramic views of the Houston skyline.
During the visit, students toured multiple kitchens throughout the property and gained firsthand insight into both à la carte and banquet operations. They learned about the impressive scale of events hosted at the hotel, where deposits can range from $50,000 to $300,000, and events for 500–700 guests can exceed one million dollars—highlighting the level of precision, planning, and teamwork required in luxury hospitality.
The tour was led by Executive Banquet Chef Carlos Vasquez, a Culinary Institute Lenôtre graduate with 15 years of experience at Hyatt. Students also had the opportunity to connect with other alumni currently working at the hotel, reinforcing the strong ties between our program and the professional hospitality industry.
Experiences like this provide students with a real-world perspective on high-level hospitality operations while inspiring them as they prepare for successful careers in the culinary field.