CANMORE, Alta. — The execs at Metropolitan Hotels have hired Martain Cloutier to manage the Grande Rockies Resort in Canmore, Alberta.

Cloutier has worked in the Canadian Rockies for more than 20 years, including stints at some of its most prestigious hotels and resorts. He recently served as GM of resort operations for Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts, which includes Buffalo Mountain Lodge in Banff and Deer Lodge in Lake Louise. Cloutier was formerly area GM for Bellstar Resorts and Hotels in Canmore.

LAS VEGAS — Dave Houseman's pizza rolled out among the world’s best, scoring sixth place at the International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas this week, according to the Edmonton Sun.

"It was my first time competing in anything like this, so it was a big learning experience. A lot of people I was competing against have done this for years," he’s quoted as saying in the newspaper.

Eclipsing two other Canuck competitors, the Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria owner, who has three locations in Edmonton, beat 120 pizza makers from around the world in a battle for the top prize of $10,000, which went to an entrant from Italy.

CALGARY — The Lux Restaurant Group has announced plans to launch the Chiasso Coffee Company cafés, as part of its portfolio that already includes Flatiron Restaurant and Bar and Kayne’s Restaurants.

“We believe coffee connects people,” says Adam Drybrough, a partner at Lux. “Chiasso is an ideal addition to our existing restaurant family.”

Chiasso, a chain of coffee cafés, will serve fresh-baked breads and pastries, homemade soups, sandwiches and other hot food. The new concept is scheduled to open at both Jamieson Place and Centennial Place in Calgary before the end of summer.

CALGARY — Lucid Group of Companies has announced plans to open its third Flatiron Restaurant and Bar at Calgary’s Chinook Centre in December.

“This is another important step in growing our Flatiron brand in Western Canada,” says Adam Drybrough, a partner with Lucid. “Chinook Centre is an important location for us. This Flatiron restaurant, located on two floors on the northeast corner of the mall fronting directly onto Macleod Trail, will become our flagship location. High traffic, high visibility and customer access from both the street and mall levels make it a desirable location for showcasing our premium casual restaurant concept.”