Epicurean Hotel Initiates National Search for Executive Chef

TAMPA, Fla. (May 20, 2019) – Executive Chef Chad Johnson of the Epicurean Hotel and Haven recently announced his decision to step away from his position at the popular food-focused hotel to expand his responsibilities with the Bern’s restaurant group by assisting with the launch of Little Midway, as well as future concepts. As executive chef of Haven Tampa, Johnson will also continue to direct high-profile events which utilize the Epicurean, including Whiskey Tampa Foxtrot, James Beard Sunday Supper and the renowned Bern’s Winefest now in its 23^rd year. Johnson will also continue as a culinary consultant with Mainsail Lodging & Development – one of the owners of the Epicurean Hotel – on upcoming projects. Johnson has been with the Epicurean since its opening in 2013 and will stay on with the hotel until a new executive chef is announced and transitioned.

“Chad was instrumental in incorporating the Bern’s food and beverage DNA into the hotel’s design and culture, which drew national attention and numerous accolades,” said Joe Collier, president of Mainsail Lodging & Development. “With the foundation that Chad built, we are now focused on finding a new executive chef that will continue to uphold the culinary legacy that is synonymous with the Epicurean and Bern’s Steak House.”

Located in the trendy Hyde Park historic district of South Tampa, Florida, the food-focused Epicurean Hotel features a state-of-the-art culinary classroom known as the Epicurean Theatre; Élevage, a restaurant where Southern hospitality meets French technique; EDGE Rooftop Cocktail Lounge; Bern’s Fine Wines & Spirits wine shop; Evangeline full-service spa; and 5,200-square feet of flexible event space. The Epicurean Hotel was developed in collaboration with Mainsail Lodging & Development and the legendary Bern’s Steak House and is the first newly constructed hotel property in the United States to join the prestigious Autograph Collection® of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR).

For information and reservations at the Epicurean Hotel, call (855) U-AWAKEN (829-2536) or visit www.EpicureanHotel.com.

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About Mainsail Lodging & Development LLC
Mainsail Lodging & Development is a Tampa-based hospitality company that develops and operates lodging products in the Southeastern US and the Caribbean. Their property portfolio includes four Autograph Collection Hotels: Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina (ScrubIsland.com), a private island resort in the British Virgin Islands; the boutique, food-focused Epicurean Hotel (EpicureanHotel.com) in Tampa, Florida; Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club (WaterlineResort.com) on Anna Maria Island, Florida; and the historic Fenway Hotel (FenwayHotel.com) in Dunedin, Florida; as well as Mainsail Beach Inn (MainsailBeachInn.com), a boutique beachfront hotel on Anna Maria Island, Florida. The company also operates corporate housing throughout the Southeast, exclusively managing the Florida, Georgia and Tennessee markets for Oakwood Worldwide® under both its ExecuStay® (ExecuStay.com) and Oakwood® (Oakwood.com) brands. Mainsail Lodging also manages a portfolio of private vacation homes through its Mainsail Vacation Rentals (MainsailVR.com) brand and is a select partner of Homes & Villas by Marriott International. Additional future projects include Luminary Hotel & Co. (LuminaryHotel.com) in Fort Myers, Florida; a 128-room Residence Inn in conjunction with an indoor sports complex in Pasco County, Florida; and a historic boutique hotel in Macon, Georgia. Mainsail Lodging’s corporate charity is Feeding Tampa Bay, the largest food rescue and distribution organization in the community. Mainsail actively supports the cause through a variety of employee and guest programs ranging from packing and sorting at the warehouse, to annual events such as the Epic Chef Showdown. Learn more at MainsailHotels.com.