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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – September 3, 2025 – Minneapolis Marriott City Center, one of the largest and most storied hotels in Minneapolis, has announced the hiring of a new executive chef at Aurora Restaurant & Bar. Benjamin Cherwien brings a decade-plus of experience in Twin Cities-area fine dining establishments to his role at the hotel, which underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation within the last several years.
Benjamin began his culinary journey at legendary Twin Cities restaurant La Belle Vie, where he learned the art of French cooking, and then moved on to national chain Kincaid’s Fish, Chops, & Steaks. Other highlights of his background include moving from cook to executive chef in less than a year at Radisson Blu Downtown Minneapolis and working in kitchens at St. Olaf College, Union Rooftop, and DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Minneapolis - Park Place. Benjamin’s cooking style blends his roots in French cuisine with the mentality of an Italian kitchen, using the most high-quality ingredients and contrasting flavors with a Minnesotan flair.
Benjamin’s hiring occurred in tandem with a private dining room remodel at Aurora, which now features a shuffleboard table, lounge seating, and signature epoxy river wood table. Minneapolis Marriott City Center is now accepting bookings for groups of up to 30 for celebrations and parties this holiday season in the private dining room, and the remainder of the hotel’s extensive event space is available for groups up to 2,400.
“With the hiring of Chef Cherwien and remodel of the private dining room, Minneapolis Marriott City Center has truly entered a new era of culinary excellence,” said Jay Garrett, General Manager at Minneapolis Marriott City Center. “We invite hotel guests, downtown visitors, and locals to visit Aurora Restaurant & Bar to taste our authentic cuisine inspired by the flavors of Minnesota.”
Benjamin has already taken steps to refresh the menu at Aurora with the addition of new food items like Beer Battered Ellsworth Cheese Curds served with hot honey. Other planned updates include the integration of more local ingredients and flavors and seasonal menu changes to match Minnesota’s growing season.
