Rosen Centre Brings Custom Culinary Experiences to Life

For many meeting attendees, lunch is simply a break between sessions.

At Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida, it can be the moment everyone remembers.

A networking lunch becomes a social event. A chef’s family recipe becomes the most talked-about dish of the week. A themed dinner transforms an ordinary ballroom into an immersive experience complete with custom menus, creative presentations, and flavors inspired by cultures from across the Caribbean, Latin America, and beyond.

“We tell planners not to feel limited by a banquet menu,” says Keith Parker, director of convention services and catering. “Our chefs love the opportunity to create something unique.”

That philosophy has helped make Rosen Centre one of Orlando’s most versatile culinary destinations for meetings and events. Connected to the Orange County Convention Center, the hotel combines large-scale meeting capabilities with a culinary team known for creativity, collaboration, and customization.

When Chefs Are Given Creative Freedom

No two chefs on the Rosen Centre Hotel’s team learned to cook the same way.  

“What sets us apart is the diversity of our culinary team,” says Phil Caronia, general manager 

Chefs bring influences from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Haiti, Florida, and other culinary traditions. Their backgrounds shape everything from banquet menus to restaurant specialties, giving planners access to a team capable of building experiences around an event’s theme, audience, or objectives.

Sometimes those ideas come from professional training. Other times, they’re inspired by cherished family recipes passed down for generations.

One example is Chef Emeterio “Tello” Luna’s tres leches dessert, a personal recipe that brings a piece of his heritage to guests at Rosen Centre.

Beyond the Standard Banquet

One recent group wanted something more memorable than a traditional dinner.

The result was a custom, coastal-inspired, five-course experience created by multiple chefs working together. From Caribbean seafood to colorful presentations and themed décor, every detail was designed to tell a story.

It’s the type of collaboration Rosen Centre encourages.

Rather than asking planners to choose between menu options A, B, or C, the team focuses on what experience attendees should have, then builds the culinary program around that vision.

That culture of experimentation continues under Executive Chef Tony Novoa, who stepped into the role after two decades with Rosen Hotels & Resorts. He works alongside Executive Sous Chef John Annunziato, a former banquet chef who rose through the Rosen Centre Hotel culinary team. 

A Taste of Rosen

Culinary creativity isn’t limited to menus for meetings held in the ballroom.

Guests can explore Florida-inspired cuisine at Everglades Restaurant, known for locally influenced dishes and regional specialties. For a more relaxed atmosphere, Harry’s Poolside Bar & Grill serves Caribbean-Cuban flavors beneath the Florida sunshine. Banshoo Sushi Bar offers freshly prepared sushi and sashimi, while 98Forty Tapas & Tequila blends Spanish and Mexican influences with shareable plates and premium tequilas.

For groups that want to experience multiple concepts, Rosen Centre even offers a “Taste of Rosen” experience that brings signature dishes from across the property together into a single event.

Always Evolving

Innovation is built into the culture at Rosen Centre Hotel.

Chefs regularly test new ideas during special dinners, tasting events, holiday celebrations, and beverage pairing experiences. Some dishes prove so popular they eventually become menu staples.

The result is that repeat clients rarely see the same meal twice.

Later this year, the Rosen Centre will begin the addition of an upscale, all‑day dining destination offering a curated blend of premium coffee, artisanal pastries, handcrafted charcuterie, and a full bar featuring fine wines and craft cocktails. The atmosphere transitions seamlessly from morning café culture to an evening social lounge, creating a refined yet welcoming space for guests to gather, work, or unwind. It will also be a prime buy-out location for groups wanting a unique venue.

For meeting planners seeking more than standard convention catering, that range of experiences is what sets Rosen Centre apart.

The goal isn’t simply to feed attendees. It’s to give them meals (and moments) worth remembering.

Story published by Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI)