Human Resources

📢 Artistry Restaurants, with 29 Southeast locations and five brands, appoints Bryan Lockwood as CEO to drive expansion, including a sixth brand in 2023. Lockwood, a veteran with CEO roles at Stonefire Grill and Real Mex Restaurants, brings a multi-disciplinary approach to growth. He succeeds Jason Brooks, now COO and partner, formerly of Uncle Julio’s and Bloomin’ Brands. Artistry brands include Boca, Shrimp Basket, Oak & Stone, Atlantic Beer and Oyster, and Sandbar Amelia Island.

📖 Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor at Informa's Restaurant & Food Group since August 2021, has over seven years of specialized experience in restaurant and hospitality industry journalism. She holds a bachelor's degree from The College of New Jersey and a master's from CUNY's Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism. Her past roles include Associate and Assistant Editor at Informa (July 2019-August 2021), Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter, and positions at Insider and The Daily Meal. Joanna is also known for her contributions to The New York Times, Forbes, and Vice.

🎭 Ewan Venters, former CEO of Fortnum & Mason, left Artfarm amid concerns the Groucho Club is 'going corporate'. The Soho-based club, acquired by Artfarm in 2022, sparked member concerns over cultural 'destruction'. Artfarm, run by Swiss investors Iwan and Manuela Wirth since Venters joined in 2021, expanded with a Yorkshire sister site and several other hospitality ventures. Venters will exit by January next year, pending a replacement. Recent expansions include Da Costa in Bruton, following the Audley Public House and Fish Shop in Ballater.

🍝 Otto & Pepe, Miami’s first pasta bar by Gabriela Chiriboga and Samuel Ghouzi, opened on September 12 in Wynwood Art District. The 147-seat venue was designed by Saladino Design Studio, featuring house-made pastas and natural wines. Menu by Michelin-starred chef Viviana Varese, with wine expert Karina Iglesias and mixologist Matias Iriarte. The menu offers four categories: red sauce pasta, white sauce pasta, more pasta, and not pasta, plus desserts like tiramisu and brioche with gelato.

🥘 Chris Eden, the former executive head chef at Gidleigh Park, is set to oversee food operations at Watergate Bay Hotel's venues starting 1 October. Eden, who helped Gidleigh Park reclaim a Michelin star in 2023, will work with head chefs Ben Ambridge, Dani Bolton, Nick Giles, and Anthony Quinn. He won a Michelin star for Cornwall's Driftwood Hotel in 2012 and attended St Austell College. Eden's aim is to create dishes with a neighbourhood restaurant feel, ensuring guests leave happy.

📍 SH Hotels & Resorts announced leadership promotions: Shadi Omeish as VP of Operations in North America, and Milton Sgarbi as Regional VP of Operations and Special Projects at 1 Hotel South Beach. Omeish has over 20 years of experience and has been with the company since 2016, managing West Coast properties including 1 Hotel South Beach and 1 Hotel West Hollywood. Sgarbi, also with the company since 2016, will oversee operations at 1 Hotel South Beach, which features 425 rooms, eight dining outlets, and more. SH Hotels & Resorts is expanding globally, with new projects in Seattle, Austin, San Miguel de Allende, Rome, Florence, Dubai, and more. Treehouse Hotels is set to open in Silicon Valley and Manchester this year.

📌 SH Hotels & Resorts announced promotions of Shadi Omeish as Vice President of Operations in North America and Milton Sgarbi as Regional Vice President of Operations and Special Projects at 1 Hotel South Beach. Omeish, who joined in 2016, has managed properties including 1 Hotel South Beach and 1 Hotel West Hollywood. The company's portfolio comprises eight 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotel & Residences New York, and the upcoming Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley, among others. Sgarbi, also with the company since 2016, will oversee 1 Hotel South Beach's 425 rooms, eight dining outlets, and other amenities. SH Hotels & Resorts is expanding globally, with new projects in Melbourne, Copenhagen, Seattle, Austin, and more. Baccarat Hotels & Residences and Treehouse Hotels are also set to open in several locations worldwide including Rome, Florence, Dubai, and Manchester.

👨️ SH Hotels & Resorts promoted Shadi Omeish to Vice President of Operations in North America and Milton Sgarbi to Regional Vice President of Operations at 1 Hotel South Beach. Omeish, with over 20 years of experience, joined the company in 2016, and has managed West Coast properties. Sgarbi, also with vast industry experience, oversees the 1 Hotel South Beach with 425 rooms and various amenities. The brand is expanding with upcoming projects in North America, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific, including new Baccarat Hotels in Rome, Florence, Dubai, and more.

🏨 SH Hotels & Resorts promoted two executives: Shadi Omeish as Vice President of Operations in North America, and Milton Sgarbi as Regional Vice President of Operations and Special Projects at 1 Hotel South Beach. Omeish, with over 20 years in the industry, oversees the company's properties in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, including eight 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotel & Residences New York, the upcoming Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley, and future projects like 1 Hotel Austin and Seattle. Sgarbi, a veteran in hotel operations, manages 1 Hotel South Beach's 425 rooms, eight dining outlets, and other amenities. SH Hotels & Resorts is expanding globally with new projects in Melbourne, Copenhagen, Paris, and more.