MAMMOTH, Calif., Jul 10, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Mammoth Mountain, California's leading four-season mountain resort, and Patina Restaurant Group, the nation's premier restaurant and food service operator, have announced a partnership to introduce an unprecedented caliber of culinary offerings to the California mountain resort. The partnership is the first of its kind in the ski industry and will dramatically enhance the guest dining experience at every level, from on-mountain food operations to off-the-slopes fine dining establishments.

Long recognized as an outdoor enthusiast's playground, Mammoth Mountain has broadened its appeal with an array of new luxury offerings and amenities plus millions of dollars in on-mountain improvements. The partnership with Patina Restaurant Group, one of the most well known food service companies in the country, will continue the Resort's evolution and attract new guests.

"Mammoth Mountain is legendary for world class skiing and scenery," said Rusty Gregory, Chairman and CEO of Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. "Our company's partnership with Patina Restaurant Group starts with a common vision for the future of the mountain. We want to be just as well-known for our culinary offerings and expect within five years, Mammoth will be as famous for our food as we are for our world class skiing."

Spearheaded by legendary Chef and Founder Joachim Splichal and CEO Nick Valenti, Patina Restaurant Group's presence at Mammoth Mountain will bring fresh organic ingredients and innovative dishes to each of the resort's food service operations. Splichal's culinary approach and enthusiasm for California's abundant resources will play a large role in elevating Mammoth Mountain's dining experience to a new level.

"We are excited to be developing new menu concepts that will serve the many diverse needs and tastes of the guests at Mammoth Mountain," said Joachim Splichal. "Having grown up in a mountain community myself, this is a project that I am personally excited about. We look forward to bringing our signature quality and service to Mammoth's dining establishments and thereby helping to enhance year-round appeal."

Patina Restaurant Group is known for its industry leadership and boasts a rich heritage of introducing restaurant-quality dining into major sporting events, high-profile business and industry venues and performing arts centers. It has redefined dining at locations as diverse as the Olympic Games, the Hollywood Bowl, the Metropolitan Opera House and Disney's Epcot Center, along with high-profile events such as the Emmy and Tony Awards. At Mammoth Mountain, announcements of Patina's new concepts, menus and properties to create the best in dining options -- from casual to fine dining -- for the 2008/09 winter season are forthcoming.

About Mammoth Mountain

Mammoth Mountain Ski Area is the leading four-season mountain resort in California. With 1.5 million annual skier visits, Mammoth Mountain is currently the third most frequented resort in the United States. The company owns and operates a variety of resort businesses including recreation, hospitality, food and beverage and retail. Specific businesses owned and operated by Mammoth Mountain include Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, June Mountain, Tamarack Lodge and Resort, Mammoth Snowmobile Adventures, Mammoth Mountain Bike Park and the Mammoth Mountain Inn. Mammoth Mountain also operates Juniper Springs Resort, the Village at Mammoth and Sierra Star Golf Course in Mammoth Lakes, California. For more information on Mammoth Mountain, visit MammothMountain.com or call 800.MAMMOTH.

About Patina Restaurant Group

Patina Restaurant Group ( www.patinagroup.com) is the nation's leading multi-concept operator in the premium segments of the restaurant and food service industry. On the West Coast the portfolio includes the renowned Patina Restaurant in Walt Disney Concert Hall, Paperfish in Beverly Hills, Nick & Stef's Steakhouse, Cafe Pinot at the Maguire Gardens, Zucca Ristorante, Catal and three other restaurants in Anaheim's Downtown Disney District(R), Leatherby's Cafe Rouge at the Orange County Performing Artscenter, Pinot Brasserie in Las Vegas and catering and food service in museums and cultural centers throughout Southern California.

On the East Coast its portfolio features New York City's world-famous Rockefeller Center Ice Rink, Rock Center Cafe, The Sea Grill, Brasserie, Brasserie 8 1/2, Naples 45 and The Grand Tier Restaurant at the Metropolitan Opera . Other East Coast properties include Tutto Italia Ristorante at the Epcot World Showcase in Orlando, FLA and Tanglewood Music Center in Lenox, MA.

SOURCE: Mammoth Mountain Ski Area

For Mammoth Mountain Ski Area<br />Lyman Public Relations<br />Chris Lyman, 707-256-3948<br />chris@lymanpr.com<br />or<br />For Patina Restaurant Group<br />5W Public Relations<br />Kisha Maldonado, 310-492-4312<br />kmaldonado@5wpr.com<br /><br />