Steve Sturm has been named COO of Firebirds Wood Fired Grill. Sturm has been with the Charlotte-based casual-dining chain since its inception in 2000, serving first as executive chef and then as SVP Food & Beverage.
Steve Sturm | Photo courtesy of Firebirds.
Andy Sieple, who joined Firebirds in 2013, has been promoted to corporate executive chef. He previously served as Firebirds’ regional chef throughout the Midwest and most recently, as culinary director of the chain.
Eric Vargas is the new bar supervisor for the Kimpton EPIC’s Area 31 restaurant in Miami. He worked previously with the InterContinental Hotel San Diego, and spent years with Harrah’s Casino.
Also at Area 31, Michelle Draper is the new restaurant manager. She began as a server with the hotel and worked her way up the ranks.
Eric Duchene has been named director of food and beverage for the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, after serving as executive chef since 2022. His experience also includes stints at The Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Rey in California, as well as Ritz-Carltons in Naples and Grand Cayman.
Eric Duchene | Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort.
The new restaurant Camaraderie is opening this spring in Houston and Chef Shawn Gawle is building the team. Gillian Malone, formerly of March and 13 Celsius, has been named general manager and wine director. And Kristine Nguyen, previously of Nancy’s Hustle and Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge, is the new bar manager.
Dallas-based Makeready has named Edita Matic to the role of vice president of revenue and digital strategy. In addition, Dan Paradiso is the new vice president of commercial strategy.
Matic was previously managing director of Revenue Upside Inc. and also worked with Loews Hotels. Paradiso was regional vice president of sales and marketing at Benchmark. Makeready operates hotels, retail shops and restaurants.
Juan Stevenson has been named executive chef at The Peach in Oakland, California. He served previously as chef de cuisine at The Peach and Joe’s Modern Thai, operated by Joe’s Restaurant Group. Last year, Stevenson also launched the popup Juju’s Street Eats, and he is the former executive chef of Late Air in Savannah, Georgia.
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