Awards 2024Judges
Industry leading figures working across design, architecture, hospitality and lifestyle media
Adam Crocini
Senior VP and Global Head F&B Brands
Hilton Worldwide
(Global)
Adam Crocini
Senior VP and Global Head F&B Brands - Hilton Worldwide
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world’s most creative spaces because they continually innovate in search of new and exciting ways to express their identity, offer incomparable hospitality, and appeal to the ever-evolving modern traveler and guest.
Bio
Adam Crocini serves as the Senior Vice President and Global Head of Food & Beverage Brands at Hilton, overseeing strategy, development and innovation for hotel food and beverage experiences. Adam came to Hilton with 20+ years of culinary-focused hospitality experience. His career began at Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts before joining Wolfgang Puck, where he spent a decade in restaurant leadership roles. That experience led him to Singapore, where he joined Las Vegas Sands Corporation as Executive Director overseeing the entire restaurant portfolio before joining Capella Hotels & Resorts, where he served as Vice President.
Website
Hilton.com
Agnes Mandeville
Director Concepts, Global Growth and Concepts
Starbucks Coffee Company
(Global)
Agnes Mandeville
Director Concepts, Global Growth and Concepts - Starbucks Coffee Company
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants and Bars are the world’s most creative spaces because they must tell their own singular story, uniquely and genuinely. Engage feelings of visitors and create visual, sensorial memories. Promote optimism through overall experience. Enhance and improve connections between people. Allowing design to be a positive link for all.
Bio
Global designer with experience across A-listed esteemed international architectural firms. Agnes launched her career as a European architect before joining a renowned coffee conglomerate, influencing brand experiences in Europe & North America. Her work celebrates the idea of people, context, comfort, community and sustainability, introducing new ideas of service and interaction with the brand. Her positive contribution brought her to join as Director Concepts where she currently works on Brand Design strategies and creating innovative multi-sensorial design concepts. Agnes is a true global citizen who calls Amsterdam, Paris and Los Angeles home.
Website
starbucks.com
Alex D'Aguiar
Managing Director
Creative Restaurant Group
(UK)
Alex D'Aguiar
Managing Director - Creative Restaurant Group
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the most creative spaces as they are always evolving to current trends and creating the latest trends in a fast-moving market, watching creative minds collaborate with new ideas, fresh concepts, world class food and beverage programmes makes it the most exciting industry for me to be a part of.
Bio
Having over 20 years of hospitality experience holding multiple development and operational roles within various UK and Global companies including Eclectic Bar Group PLC, Gordon Ramsay Group and founding Creative Restaurant Group off the back of COVID, creating various successful brands over the years both here in the UK and aboard, most recently Klaw Miami and Creative Restaurant brands including Sumi, Humo and 20 Berkeley, I have led 25 new openings over my career, working with some of the worlds best design agencies and brands agencies delivering successful F&B businesses.
Website
creativerg.com
Antony Mcneil
Global Director Food & Beverage, Inflight Service Delivery
Singapore Airlines
(Global)
Antony Mcneil
Global Director Food & Beverage, Inflight Service Delivery - Singapore Airlines
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world’s most creative spaces because they offer an extraordinary blend of atmosphere, creativity, and social connection. Beyond mere places to eat and drink, they provide immersive experiences, to engage the senses, these venues continue to captivate and inspire, making them go-to destinations for those seeking exceptional moments.
Bio
Antony McNeil serves as Global Director Food & Beverage, Inflight Service Delivery, for Singapore Airlines. A global citizen, brings more than three decades of expertise in culinary & customer service excellence to his role at the world’s most awarded airline. Delivering annually, 44+M F&B experiences onboard, service excellence is at the core of his everyday, delivering F&B innovation, design & development for the customer journey. He has extensive executive & operational experience in aviation & hospitality, managing major culinary, food & beverage operations, at several of the world’s largest & most recognized travel & luxury hotel brands on three continents.
Website
singaporeair.com
Aliya Khan
VP Global Design Strategies
Marriott International
(Global)
Aliya Khan
VP Global Design Strategies - Marriott International
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world’s most creative spaces because they wrap you in the mashup of joy that is design, scent, sound, flavor and the people that animate these experiences. Often they are the most memorable look at a destination or better still the soul of a neighborhood.
Bio
Aliya Khan began her career in hospitality design with the iconic W Hotels in 2003. Later, she oversaw design efforts for the original prototype for Aloft, that gave birth to a market where none had existed before. Today, she has led efforts to reinvent both of these brands (and more) to further reflect today’s changing landscape. After a short break to lead design and development at NeueHouse, her love of travel brought her back to the hotel industry to be the driving force behind Marriott’s Lifestyle portfolio. Aliya holds degrees in both Architecture and Industrial Design from Pratt Institute.
Website
marriott.com
Aloki Batra
CEO
FIVE Hospitality and Pacha Group
(UAE, Spain)
Aloki Batra
CEO - FIVE Hospitality and Pacha Group
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world’s most creative spaces because dining is an immersive amalgamation of artistry, ambiance, creativity and connection. An intrepid celebration of people and cultures from across the globe that encapsulates the world's vibrant mosaic in every bite, and sip. Restaurants & Bars are inspiring and thought provoking - leading to the conception of entirely new culinary adventures.
Bio
As CEO, Batra is a leading tour de force at FIVE Hospitality. He is the creative genius and culinary expert behind hugely successful homegrown concepts with an aim to cater to Dubai’s multicultural diaspora – with varied palates, that would appeal to locals and visitors alike. Batra has also been recognised as one of the Top 100 CEOs in the Middle East by Forbes ME in 2022 and amongst 50 Powerful Indians in the Middle East in the Arabian Business ‘Indian Aces’ Power List. More recently, Batra has taken on the mantle of CEO of the legendary Ibiza icon, The Pacha Group. He is set to uphold and build upon Pacha’s rich legacy in the realm of nightlife and entertainment, while strategically aligning it with FIVE’s famed cutting-edge experiential hospitality.
Website
fivehotelsandresorts.com
Audra Tuskes
VP Global Design Strategies
Marriott International
(Global)
Audra Tuskes
VP Global Design Strategies - Marriott International
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world’s most creative spaces because we crave meaningful experiences. Whether we’re seeking entertainment value, creating social currency, or feeding the soul with authentic connection, many of these experiences happen in R&Bs. The expectation of distinctive design in these spaces is table-stakes.
Bio
Audra Tuskes is VP of Design for Marriott’s luxury tier, including St. Regis, Ritz-Carlton, EDITION, JW Marriott, W Hotels & The Luxury Collection. She ensures that the vision, quality & operational excellence distinctively defines each brand through the development of a strong design strategy. Audra serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for Hospitality Design Magazine. With 20 years of industry experience, Audra was VP of Design for Neuehouse, VP & Creative Director for Lightstone, VP of Design for Thompson Hotels, Design Director for Starwood Hotels & Design Professor at Pratt Institute. Audra holds a Master of Architecture from Columbia University.
Website
marriott.com
Aurelie Schwend
Director Interior Design, Luxury Brands
Marriott International
(EMEA)
Aurelie Schwend
Director Interior Design, Luxury Brands - Marriott International
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world's most creative spaces transporting their guests into a world of culinary experiences. Sometimes the F&B is the focal point and sometimes the destination is like a theatre. It all starts with a vision the creative talent then translates into reality. Each venue is unique and gives chefs and designers the freedom of expression and innovation, creating unforgettable experiences and impressions, as a response to all senses.
Bio
Aurelie is the Director of Interior Design, Luxury Brands at Marriott International. Aurelie has extensive skills and qualities of management gained during 15 years of experience on lifestyle and luxury hospitality projects. As a member of the European Global Design team, Aurelie is supporting the development and growth of Marriott’s Luxury Brands primarily in Europe. As part of her role she has the responsibility for the successful architectural and interior design delivery of projects within established budgets, schedules and brand quality standards. Aurelie is passionate about architecture, design and innovation and loves creating hotels with unique experiences.
Website
marriottinternational.com
Barry A.N. Bloom
President and CEO
Xenia Hotels & Resorts
(USA)
Barry A.N. Bloom
President and CEO - Xenia Hotels & Resorts
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world’s most creative spaces because they remind us of what the spaces in our own homes can be. We eat and drink every day in our own homes and spaces outside our homes inspire and nurture us in the most creative ways.
Bio
Barry A.N. Bloom, Ph.D. is President and Chief Operating Officer of Xenia Hotels & Resorts, Inc., a NYSE-listed real estate investment trust. He currently is an adjunct faculty member at Florida International University. He previously served as an Associate Professor of the Practice at Boston University. He co-founded Abacus Lodging Investors LLC and served as EVP of Portfolio Management & Administration with CNL Hotels & Resorts. He also worked for Hyatt Hotels, Tishman Hotels, VMS Realty, and PKF. He received his B.S. and an MBA from Cornell University and a Ph.D. in Hospitality Management from Iowa State University.
Website
xeniareit.com
Brazer Bozlak
CEO
Urban Italian Group
(Sweden)
Brazer Bozlak
CEO - Urban Italian Group
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world's most creative spaces because this is where stories are told, relationships are formed, and memories are made. In the hustle and bustle of these places, chefs craft dishes that tell tales of tradition and innovation, while patrons bond over meals, creating cherished memories that linger for a lifetime.
Bio
Stockholm-based architect and hospitality entrepreneur Brazer Bozlak, founder and CEO of Urban Italian Group, holds a bachelor's degree in architecture and a master's degree in construction management. He began his career working at architectural firms in San Francisco before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey in 2017 at the age of 28. In just six years, he has opened nine thriving Italian restaurants and grown UIG’s organization to nearly 350 employees. With a strategic mind and an eye for design, the young ambitious entrepreneur is involved in all aspects of interior design, concept development, team building, and business profitability when ensuring the continued success of each venue.
Website
restaurangbasta.se
Bruno Veninga
Director of Projects
Time Out Market
(Global)
Bruno Veninga
Director of Projects - Time Out Market
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars can be the world's most creative spaces if the designer understands and allows the influence of the chef, the ingredients, the cuisine and location to inspire the experience they are creating to touch the customers' five senses and leave them with a lasting impression.
Bio
Since joining Time Out Market - the food and cultural market - as Director of Projects in 2018, Bruno has delivered six Food Halls for Time Out Market following the success of the original in Lisbon, working hand in hand with an incredible team of dedicated and talented professionals. Leading the Technical Services & Design team with passion and determination, Bruno works collaboratively to further expand the company's global footprint, evolve the design of the Flagship Markets, and develop new formats to increase opportunities. Bruno and his team strive for seamless cohesion with global partners, teams of consultants and contractors to enable and facilitate the design, build and handover of inspiring venues to provide every visitor an opportunity to experience "the best of the city under one roof" - the mission at the heart of each Time Out Market.
Website
timeoutmarket.com
Celine Chung
President & Creative Director
Bao Family
(France)
Celine Chung
President & Creative Director - Bao Family
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world’s most creative spaces because all the very details of what composes a restaurant are a playground for creativity : the food and drinks offering, interior design, artists we call to create an immersive experience, dishware, uniforms, menu design, the storytelling regarding the place, the way to serve.
Bio
Co-Founder and Creative Director of Bao Family restaurants, Céline imagines all the retaurants’ worlds from the food to the architecture and brand image to make people discover chinese food in a new and modern way, far from all the stéréotypes. In 4 years she opened 4 restaurants in Paris (Petit Bao, Gros Bao, Bleu Bao, Bao Express) that made chinese food look cool in the city of gastronomy and is opening her 5th restaurant in the very trendy Marseille. Passionate and self-thought, she uses her creative eye to create a bold experience around chinese food.
Website
baofamily.co
Charlie North
Global VP of Design
Ennismore
(Global)
Charlie North
Global VP of Design - Ennismore
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world’s most creative spaces because they are the perfect place to explore cuisines and share experiences, immersive interiors will transform your experience and take you to another world and make you feel see and smell things you’ve not experienced before.
Bio
Charlie is an experienced Interior Designer with a passion for working in the hospitality industry. He touches all of Ennismore’s brands in a global capacity to make sure Interior Design is aligned with the over arching brand principles. Charlie also runs Ennismore’s own Interior Design business called AIME Studios, notable projects include the refurbishment of The Gleneagles Hotel, the creation of Gleneagles Townhouse, as well as a catalogue of Hoxton Hotels, including most recently Poblenou, Berlin, Brussels, Vienna and Edinburgh.
Website
ennismore.com
Christian Schallert
CEO
Brummell Projects
(Global)
Christian Schallert
CEO - Brummell Projects
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world´s most creative spaces because it gives designers the opportunity to create extraordinary and different realities to what everyone is used to see and eat at home. Extraordinary places inspire to push your own limitations.
Bio
Christian is the founder of boutique hotel brand Brummell Projects. He grew up in Austria and moved to Barcelona 20 years ago where he opened Hotel Brummell in 2015. He is supporting the development and growth of the brand with focus in Spain and Morocco. Christian is responsible for achieving the established brand quality standards and successful architectural and interior design delivery of new projects within a certain budget and schedule. There is currently a farmhouse in the Pyrenees under the management of Brummell and a boutique hotel and a Riad in Marrakech.
Website
brummellprojects.com
Dan Flannery
CEO
Cape Resorts
(USA)
Dan Flannery
CEO - Cape Resorts
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world's most creative spaces because they are where our hotels’ unique essence and identity are best introduced to our guests.
Bio
Dan Flannery joined Cape Resorts as CEO in June 2022. A hospitality veteran with over 40 years of experience, Mr. Flannery entered the hospitality industry in 1981. He held key positions at Marriott before joining The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company in 2002 as GM of The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Flannery became area GM for both the Battery Park and Central Park hotels. He was COO at Morgans Hotel Group from 2011-2014 before returning to Marriott as Senior VP and managing director of EDITION, the award-winning lifestyle brand he helped create and launch in 2009. Over his career, Mr. Flannery also helped to develop some of Marriott’s most successful concept restaurants.
Website
caperesorts.com
David Martin
Global Head of Restaurants & Bars
Corinthia Hotels
(Global)
David Martin
Global Head of Restaurants & Bars - Corinthia Hotels
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world’s most creative spaces because – of the pivotal part they play in delivering authentic and genuine hospitality in their exceptionally designed environments. Everything that the guest sees, tastes and experiences tells a story, then when all elements are blended together seamlessly with passion, creativity and innovation they create such everlasting memories.
Bio
David’s role of Global Head of Restaurants & Bars is to create, implement and optimise the right concepts and oversee the operations for all restaurants and bars in current Corinthia hotels as well as all projects in the pipeline. David has worked for many respectable Brands including Gordon Ramsay Restaurants where he spent 13 years, progressing to International Operations Director of the Group which involved leading, driving, and growing the global restaurant portfolio with locations in Asia, Middle East, Europe and USA. From this he gained a wealth of knowledge creatively and operationally, giving him a well-rounded outlook on everything to do with restaurants, bars, and hospitality in general.
Website
corinthia.com
Diana Kessler
Creative Director
The Kessler Collection
(USA)
Diana Kessler
Creative Director - The Kessler Collection
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world's most creative spaces because from the vision to the execution of details, the design team has the ability to provide inspiration for the people that work there and spur creativity for patrons that experience the culinary journey. It can be a place an expression of culture, identity, and traditions.
Bio
Diana Simaan Kessler joined The Kessler Collection’s corporate team in 2015 as creative director. With over 20 years of experience in the fashion and design industry, she brings a strategically creative perspective to the Kessler Collection's design studio. Diana has led designing new and existing properties, including the Grand Bohemian Hotel Charlotte, JW Marriott Savannah & Plant Riverside District, and the Grand Bohemian Lodge Greenville. Prior experience included owning Diana Simaan Inc., a lifestyle brand specializing in fashion and interior design. Beyond her professional pursuits, Diana actively supports charitable causes such as Second Harvest Food Bank and Make a Wish Foundation.
Website
kesslercollection.com
Elizabeth Blau
Founder & CEO
Blau + Associates
(Global)
Elizabeth Blau
Founder & CEO - Blau + Associates
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world’s most creative spaces because they have the power to transport us through all of our most elemental senses.
Bio
Elizabeth Blau is recognized for the impact of her leadership, innovation and philanthropy over a four-decade career. As CEO of her leading restaurant consulting and development company, Blau + Associates, Elizabeth is widely credited with transforming Las Vegas into a world-class culinary destination. Elizabeth operates successful signature restaurants including Honey Salt in Las Vegas and Vancouver, Buddy’s V’s Ristorante on the Las Vegas Strip and Crown Block at the Reunion Tower in Dallas. Blau serves the global hospitality community through multiple educational advisory boards and has co-founded two impactful non-profit organizations, the Women’s Hospitality Initiative and Delivering with Dignity.
Website
elizabethblau.com
Eloisa Bustos
Director of Design
Virgin Hotels
(Global)
Eloisa Bustos
Director of Design - Virgin Hotels
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world’s most creative spaces because the imagination and interpretation of a concept can be limitless from the built environment, food and drink menus, uniforms, art programs, entertainment, and staff personas. These spaces are more than places for eating and drinking, they are getaway destinations for customers to experience and feel a certain way, whether it’s a sense of belonging, transcending to another space and time, or simply satisfying a craving.
Bio
Eloisa has been an integral part of the Virgin Hotels Design & Development Services Team for nearly 7 years, focusing on design direction and management for new and existing hotels while continuously developing and improving design initiatives and standards, working cross-functionally with the Development, Operations, Entertainment, and Marketing teams. Her passion for travel and curiosity for different types of cuisine and cultures has been a tremendous contribution to her 10+ years of experience in the hospitality design industry, both in US and international markets.
Website
virginhotels.com
Eunji Lee
Pastry Chef / Owner
Lysée
(USA)
Eunji Lee
Pastry Chef / Owner - Lysée
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world's most creative spaces because you can show guests more about your culture and concept, creating a better experience through the details of a space.
Bio
Pastry chef Eunji Lee was born in South Korea and fulfilled a lifelong dream of studying pastry arts when she moved to France in 2006. Following pastry school, Eunji spent three years in Ze Kitchen Galerie and then trained under Alain Ducasse and Cedric Grolet at Le Meurice for four years. In 2016, she became the Executive Pastry Chef of Jungsik, the two Michelin star Korean restaurant in NYC, before leaving to open her own pastry boutique, Lysée in 2022. Eunji was named one of La Liste’s Pastry Talents of 2023, Food and Wine’s Best New Chefs of 2023.
Website
lyseenyc.com
Gilbert Khalil
Director of Design & Technical Services
Sunset Hospitality
(Global)
Gilbert Khalil
Director of Design & Technical Services - Sunset Hospitality
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world’s most creative spaces because they blend culinary artistry with immersive design, crafting environments that ignite the senses and foster unforgettable social experiences, making every visit a captivating journey of flavors and aesthetics.
Bio
Gilbert Khalil embarked on his architectural career, securing a Master of Advanced Studies in Architecture with High Honors in 2008 from the Académie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts (ALBA) in Beirut, Lebanon. He served as a Senior Design Architect in Lebanon, overseeing diverse projects spanning the Middle East and Africa, showcasing his talent from concept to execution. Passionate about Automotive Design, he transitioned towards this dream, even gaining admission to esteemed Italian design universities. Today, as the Director of Design and Technical Services at Sunset Hospitality Group, Gilbert leads groundbreaking projects globally, melding his architectural expertise with innovative designs in the hospitality realm.
Website
sunsethospitality.com
Ilan Molcho
CEO
Neni Restaurant Group
(EU)
Ilan Molcho
CEO - Neni Restaurant Group
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world's most creative spaces because they craft immersive environments and unforgettable experiences by skillfully blending tradition, memories, and innovation.
Bio
Ilan Molcho is the founder and CEO of the NENI Restaurant Group, where he collaborates with his three brothers and mother to create a vibrant Levantine culinary experience. With a presence in 13 European locations and a food production unit servicing national retail chains across five countries, Ilan's journey in the hospitality industry began at the age of 21, driven by a passion for food and a willingness to learn from his experiences, even when they meant making mistakes. He humbly started from the bottom, washing dishes, serving tables, cooking, and cleaning, ultimately transforming a single restaurant in Vienna's Naschmarkt into a renowned European brand. Ilan's vision is to unite diverse communities through the joy of shared dining experiences.
Website
neni.at
Ines Miro-Sans
Co-Founder
Casa Bonay
(Global)
Ines Miro-Sans
Co-Founder - Casa Bonay
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the worlds most creative spaces because it immerses us in an experience that has the power of transforming people into better humans by experiencing a sense of place and community and enhancing their memories through the visuals of the place, the sense and the connections with people that share same values.
Bio
Born in Barcelona in 1984. A tireless and hard worker, Inés had already planned her dream hotel even before applying to her business studies. After graduating at Esade Business School and get an MBA degree in Marketing, she inmediately started working on hospitality projects like Hotel OMM or Eurostars. In 2010 she joins the Ace Hotel New York, working in a very diverse range of positions from the operations side to the marketing and strategic levels. Finally, in 2014, Inés, one of the few female hotel owners in the city, parteners together with Lluis Rullan in order to be able to bring Casa Bonay to life. Since then, Casa Bonay has been awarded as one of the Top100 best hotels in the world by Conde Nast Traveller as well as one of the favourite Top 100 from Monocle Magazine.
Website
casabonay.com
Jason Ong
Head of Restaurants, Bars & Event Operations
IHG Hotels & Resorts
(Greater China)
Jason Ong
Head of Restaurants, Bars & Event Operations - IHG Hotels & Resorts
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world’s most creative spaces because while great food engages your eyes and tastebuds, enjoying it in an outstandingly designed environment stimulates your mind and soul, making the great food even greater!
Bio
Jason Ong is the Head of Food & Beverage Operations for InterContinental Hotels Group, overseeing over 620 hotels with over 1600 venues in Greater China. Jason spent most of his career life in Food & Beverage within the hotel industry. He has gained extensive experience in both hotels and corporate level. His journey so far in food & beverage includes Hotel Conversions, Property Openings & F&B Operations, and at the beginning of his career, a highly successful Executive Chef, representing Singapore in many international culinary competitions like the prestigious IKA Culinary Olympics and Culinary World Cup - Expogast in Luxemburg.
Website
ihg.com
Jennifer Barnwell
President
Curator Hotel & Resort Collection
(USA)
Jennifer Barnwell
President - Curator Hotel & Resort Collection
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world’s most creative spaces because they are relatively compact spaces where you can create theater.
Bio
Jennifer Barnwell is President of Curator Hotel & Resort Collection. Launched in November 2020, Curator provides lifestyle hotels the power to compete together while allowing its members the freedom to retain what makes their hotels unique. Before moving over to Curator, Barnwell was Senior Vice President of Asset Management of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, a leading real estate investment trust, which was formed and went public in late 2009. She oversaw hotels on the west coast in San Francisco and Los Angeles and had a team of three Asset Managers reporting to her.
Website
curatorhotelsandresorts.com
Jessica Frankopan
Co-Founder
A Curious Group of Hotels
(Global)
Jessica Frankopan
Co-Founder - A Curious Group of Hotels
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world’s most creative spaces because no matter what city, town or country, you can find inspiration from seeing the latest new ideas from service to design, from lighting to the way guests react with the space, with the F&B – and with each other.
Bio
Jessica Frankopan set up A Curious Group of Hotels with her husband Peter in 2000. The group includes a portfolio of some of the most famous properties in Europe, including L’Hôtel on Left Bank hotel in Paris, Canal House in the Jordaan district of Amsterdam, The Portobello Hotel in London’s Notting Hill, and the latest acquisition, Drakes Hotel on the seafront in Brighton. The multi-award winning group prides itself on customer experience, high services standards, staff well-being and loyalty, and a strong focus on design and sustainability. Jessica is also behind Green & Spring, the renowned beauty and skincare business.
Website
curioushotels.com
Joanna Hunkin
Editor
Gourmet Traveler
(Australia & New Zealand)
Joanna Hunkin
Editor - Gourmet Traveler
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world’s most creative spaces because they have to combine the practical purposes of function, utility and safety with the ethereal ambition creating multi-sensory memories and setting a mood to lift diners out of their everyday life.
Bio
Joanna is an award-winning journalist, broadcaster and editor, with nearly 20 years’ experience specialising in lifestyle, food and travel media. She became editor of Gourmet Traveller in September 2019, leading Australia’s longest-running luxury lifestyle title through an omni-channel transformation. As the editor of Gourmet Traveller, she is privileged to access some of the world’s most sought-after dining and hospitality experiences, and is the key decision maker behind Gourmet Traveller’s Annual Restaurant Awards and Guide, which recognise the best dining experiences to be found across Australia.
Website
Gourmettraveller.com.au
Maria Pieri
Editorial Director
National Geographic Traveller
(UK)
Maria Pieri
Editorial Director - National Geographic Traveller
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world’s most creative spaces because they must constantly meet the evolving demands of transitional generations - reflective of the latest style, tastes and cultural shifts in both fashion and behaviour.
Bio
Maria has over 20 years’ experience in managing and creating award-winning content across all media – building and nurturing talented teams, projects and brands. This includes the award-winning National Geographic Traveller (UK) and Food by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Maria is a current British Society of Magazine Member (BSME) committee member, the head of education for the BSME and has previously held the position of BSME Chair in 2020.
Marissa Freeman
Chief Marketing Officer
Union Square Hospitality Group
(USA)
Marissa Freeman
Chief Marketing Officer - Union Square Hospitality Group
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world’s most creative spaces because they are living stories. The concept is the backdrop, and in every moment, the story is written by the people – the chefs, the servers, the guests. It’s our responsibility as hospitalitarians to make it the best story we can.
Bio
Marissa leads marketing and communications for USHG Restaurants, Daily Provisions, Union Square Events and Hospitality Quotient. Her approach transformed the perception of USHG from a restaurant group to a hospitality company. Marissa expands brand awareness and fuels growth of the restaurants and cafes, leveraging technology and data to drive new and recurring revenue. She relaunched USHG’s consultancy brand, Hospitality Quotient, connecting the dots of hospitality as a business differentiator. Under Marissa’s leadership, the USHG brands inspire a new generation of guests, remain a home to longtime regulars, and extend Enlightened Hospitality across industries and geographies.
Website
ushg.com
Nicole Fournier
Vice President Interior Design
MGM Resorts Design & Development
(USA)
Nicole Fournier
Vice President Interior Design - MGM Resorts Design & Development
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the worlds most creative spaces because they embrace the curiosity of the guest through the spirit of entertainment, art, and cuisine all in one cohesive space.
Bio
Promoted to Vice President of Interior Design of MGM Resorts International Design and Development in January 2022, Nicole Fournier leads the design management teams for all Capital projects across the company’s 18 domestic properties. Her collaborative leadership style encourages all disciplines to push boundaries of design while remaining focused on guest experience and considering operational needs. She creatively led the interior design team for the ground-up design and development for both MGM National Harbor and MGM Springfield which included Casino, Hotel, Entertainment, Retail and Food and Beverage venues. Nicole joined MGM Resorts International in 2006 where she consistently champions for creating spaces that WOW the guest experience.
Website
mgmresorts.com
Raffaele Ruocco
General Manager
The Westin London City
(UK)
Raffaele Ruocco
General Manager - The Westin London City
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world’s most creative spaces because they allow so many different types of experiences and networking to take place, from intimate dinners, special events or business closers, a carefully curated space can create the best of memories.
Bio
Raffaele Ruocco has over 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Over the years, he has led the launch or been part of the executive team for a number of hotel brands and restaurants, including The Pem, Conrad Hotels and resorts, Melia Hotels, Da Vittorio in Italy and Spago at The St Regis Hotel in Istanbul. With experience in a variety of roles Raffaele Ruocco now sits as General Manager of the Westin London City, where the brand and team has thrived under his leadership and menus are carefully selected to align with the brands pillars such as the eat well menu at the Mosaic restaurant.
Website
marriott.com
Rika Lisslo
Vice President Development
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
(USA)
Rika Lisslo
Vice President Development - Hyatt Hotels Corporation
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world’s most creative spaces and are an integral part of all of our Full Service, Lifestyle and Luxury Brands – It’s one of the ways we connect with the local community and culture.
Bio
Hyatt Full-Service & Luxury Hotel Development - UBS - Fourth Floor Fellow - Hyatt Global Wellbeing Council Member - International Luxury Hotel Association Board Member - Culinary Institute of America - Society of Fellows Board Member- Prop-Tech/Fin-Tech Advisor & Investor. Ms. Lisslö, as Vice President of Americas Development team, is responsible for origination, portfolio growth, development, brand partnership, and identifying new business opportunities. She oversees growth of Hyatt’s Lifestyle, Wellness, Luxury & Collection brands: Thompson, AlilA, Park Hyatt, Miraval, Andaz, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Centric, Destination, Unbound, and JDV.
Website
Hyatt.com
Simon Freeth
Global Head of Bars
Azumi Group
(Global)
Simon Freeth
Global Head of Bars - Azumi Group
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world's most creative spaces because they offer a canvas on which you can build a personalised experience that is connected through food, drink, design, music, people and energy. The art lies in finding the perfect synchronization of all those elements.
Bio
Simon Freeth is the Global Head of Bars for Roka, Inko Nito and Etaru restaurant brands. Simon originally studied and worked in design before moving to the hospitality industry, during his 12 years with the company he has contributed to 14 different restaurant openings across Europe, US and Middle East. Having always been fascinated with Japanese culture, Simon often travels to Japan to learn more about shochu, Japanese whisky and sake production. He has had the pleasure of contributing to specialist drinks publications of several occasions as well as speaking at industry events.
Website
azumirestaurants.com
Stephanie Segaux
Director Development
Rosewood Hotel Group
(Europe)
Stephanie Segaux
Director Development - Rosewood Hotel Group
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world’s most creative spaces because dining is a real experience where all our senses are triggered and stimulated. It is as much about the interior design, look and feel, the lighting and music, the art de la table, as it is about the food, smell and taste itself.
Bio
Stephanie has 10 years’ experience in the international hospitality industry, having studied and worked in Bangkok, Paris, Monaco, Brussels, London and Amsterdam. Stephanie started her career in 2014 in FP&A then worked in Feasibility for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. In 2016, she started the European Feasibility department for Rosewood Hotel Group in London and later became the head of Feasibility & Business Intelligence for Europe and the Americas. Two years ago, Stephanie transitioned to the Development side, being responsible for building strategic relationships with hotel real estate investors and expanding Rosewood’s portfolio in Europe.
Website
rosewoodhotelgroup.com/en-us
Tatoum Athanassiou
Director Interior Design, Luxury Brands
Marriott International
(EMEA)
Tatoum Athanassiou
Director Interior Design, Luxury Brands - Marriott International
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world’s most creative spaces as they have the ability to transport guests into a journey crafted through a narrative and design that can be not only sensorial but also emotional, enriching the overall F&B experience. Each venue provides the freedom for innovation, leveraging a sense of place and creating an immersive experience, sparking a memory or creating the opportunity for new memories, whilst touching on all senses.
Bio
With over 20 years’ experience in hospitality architecture and interior design, Tatoum has developed a career that spans the United Kingdom, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. During her 10 year career at Marriott Global Design, Tatoum has managed the Interior design of the Marriott portfolio, with particular emphasis on luxury brands for New builds and renovations. Architecture and Interior design for Tatoum has been a career passion that has taken her across multiple regions allowing her to pursue her excitement for meeting new people and enjoying a variety of experiences and cultures. Through travel, Tatoum has gained significant insight into innovative ideas and diverse cultural perspectives. Tatoum is continually seeking challenges for personal and intellectual design growth and endeavors to apply lessons learnt to the next challenge. Through her pursuit of excellence in design, Tatoum is always encouraging designers to produce unique memorable guest experiences befitting of Marriott’s Brands strategies.
Website
marriott.com
Tina Lofthouse
Group Editor
Time & Leisure
(UK)
Tina Lofthouse
Group Editor - Time & Leisure
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world’s most creative spaces because they bring people together, even if it’s just for a few fleeting hours, and everything has to feel right. Good design is absolutely key, creating spaces that not only look incredible but have the desired vibe, too
Bio
Tina Lofthouse is a writer and editor who has spent over 20 years covering the latest stories in food and drink. She has reviewed hundreds of restaurants and bars, interviewed the world’s top chefs, restaurateurs and mixologists and sought out the most interesting venues on her travels around the world. She is currently editor of a series of London and Surrey-based lifestyle magazines, and her freelance commissions are featured in a variety of food and travel publications.
Website
timeandleisure.co.uk
Xavier Padovani
Partner
Experimental Group
(Global)
Xavier Padovani
Partner - Experimental Group
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world's most creative spaces because they’re a blank canvas. Elements intermix, from light, sound, to food & drink, design, staff and finally guests who walk through the door. And each night, we strive to make the final product a beautiful mess, a joyeux bordel.
Bio
Xavier Padovani has touched nearly every aspect of the hospitality industry. His journey has taken him from working alongside industry greats including Paul Bocuse, Philippe Starck and the Trigano family at the Sanderson, Mama Shelter and Quaglino’s to launching Hendrick’s around the world. He joined Experimental Group in 2010 and together, he and the Experimental crew have taken the industry by storm, with openings in London, New York, Paris, Verbier, Venice, Menorca, Ibiza and the Cotswolds. Xavier also runs Orfeus, where he activates global on-trade advocacy programmes for brands including Tabasco, Mount Gay, Yaguara Cachaça and Domaine des Hautes Glaces.
Website
experimentalgroup.com
Yossi Eliyahoo
Owner & Co-Founder
The Entourage Group
(Global)
Yossi Eliyahoo
Owner & Co-Founder - The Entourage Group
The world's most creative spaces
Restaurants & Bars are the world’s most creative spaces because, it’s part of the DNA of The Entourage Group. We are not creating restaurants; we are creating experience and we are always really precise to ensure every place completely has its own identity.
Bio
Renowned for creating cutting-edge food and drinks concept, The Entourage Group is the unrivalled empire of Yossi Eliyahoo, transforming the face of the international high-end hospitality scene. In 2008 the story began with the launch of Momo Restaurant, Bar & Lounge. The success story soon continued. State-of-the art concepts were created; from gourmet burgers at The Butcher to elegant Japanese cuisine with a south American twist at Izakaya Asian Kitchen & Bar (Amsterdam, Munich & Ibiza), the Michelin-awarded The Duchess to the cosmopolitan steakhouse Mr Porter, Bar & Lounge (Amsterdam & Barcelona), coming soon Mr Porter London.
Website
the-entouragegroup.com
