Internationally acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and his partner Phil Suarez, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, and leading consumer-focused private equity firm Catterton Partners have come together to create an international, upscale, multi-concept restaurant and licensing business, according to a media release carried on www.ehotelier.com.

The business will develop, own, operate, manage and license world-class restaurants created by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, including the highly successful Spice Market restaurant in New York City , which the Taj Group is reported to be bringing to India . Acclaimed by critics as "formidably gifted," Jean-Georges is one of America 's most celebrated chefs, presently holding an unprecedented total of 20 stars from The New York Times for his seven New York City restaurants. In addition, his Jean-Georges restaurant was recently awarded the coveted three Michelin stars.

The new company will serve as a third party development arm for restaurant concepts in Starwood's upper-upscale and luxury hotel brands including W, Westin, Le Meridien and St. Regis. Additionally, the company will own and operate free-standing restaurants outside of Starwood's hotels.

"The hotel industry has commoditised hotel dining to the point that most restaurants are so unremarkable they're simply an option of last resort," said Starwood Chief Executive Officer Steven J. Heyer. "We see a wonderful opportunity to re-imagine hotel dining dramatically and provide customers an unforgettable, theatrical experience."

Heyer cited Jean-Georges' experience of operating restaurants in diverse global markets from New York to Paris to Las Vegas to the Bahamas as elements that were attractive to Starwood. Jean-Georges's partner Suarez added: "By partnering with them, we are able to grow in a meaningful way that would be unattainable on our own."