Chef will compete for Top Chef of North Carolina title.

Hotel operator Concord Hospitality Enterprises promoted Dean Thompson to executive chef of its Renaissance Raleigh Hotel, in Raleigh, N.C. Previously, Thompson served as the hotel's executive sous chef under Dean Wendel, Concord's recently appointed corporate director of food and beverage.

Prior to opening the Renaissance Raleigh, in 2008, Thompson was the sous chef for the Hope Valley Country Club. Thompson is a Johnson & Wales University graduate and native of nearby Cary, N.C. Later this month he and his team will compete for the Top Chef of North Carolina title.