CAROLYN M. WHITE
Certified Specialist of Wine, Certified Master Hotel Supplier
From the dish tank to Chef, Carolyn White’s 40+ years in the industry includes distributor sales experience, national account team management & teaching cooking and wine classes for Publix Supermarkets along the way. Comfortable working the line as Chef or training chefs, servers and bartenders in the front of the house, her knowledge of restaurants, hotels, food and wine is extensive and multi-faceted. Carolyn’s passion lies in identifying and targeting each Chain's uniqueness and targeting opportunities to craft training programs to increase all beverage sales and server beverage knowledge comfort levels. Creative, unique, common sense & de-snootified training methods have been successful through her many years of teaching about food and wine and remembered by servers across the U.S.; Carolyn has also conducted wine training for the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation & the Military Food service team at the White House through the years. Carolyn uses humor, real life experiences and her extensive global travels as story illustrations.
RAINER ZINNGREBE
HKB Designs, Kitchen Design and Culinary Development
Rainer Zinngrebe started working in his parents’ pub at the age of 12. His dad a trained maître d’ always loved the industry, so it was a natural progression for Rainer into a cook’s apprenticeship at the age of 16. Now, with over 40 years in the food and beverage industry, Rainer has published two cookbooks and numerous other food and beverage training and guidance publications, Rainer's has gathered his expertise from working with independent restaurants and luxury hotels from the UK to the US, Mexico to Malaysia, Singapore to Seoul, Dubai to Duesseldorf. He has lived and worked in ten different countries across all four continents both as an Executive Chef as well as a Food and Beverage Director. From 2011 to 2017, Rainer led the Global Portfolio of Food and Beverage & Culinary for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, before his role expanded to encompass the entire Marriott International Luxury Brands Portfolio. During his time in this role, he created hundreds of successful concepts from a simple Burger Shack to Michelin Star restaurants, designed and reviewed thousands of kitchens and bars, and worked alongside countless chefs and operators both independent, chain as well as hotel focused. In addition he participated in the opening countdown of over 30 hotels and hundreds of restaurants.Rainers' strength in conceptual design, operational knowledge, kitchen and bar design are unmatched, and his approach to leadership and training are unparalleled.
CHEF KENNY CUOMO
Culinary Training and Development
Chef Kenny Cuomo, an award-winning chef recognized for his leadership and innovative contributions in the culinary world, is a driving force in developing exceptional dining and hospitality concepts. With a fine dining pedigree shaped by working alongside some of the industry’s most notable talents, Chef Cuomo has honed his skills at the stoves of globally renowned restaurants such as Alinea, Charlie Trotters, Per Se, Blue Hill at Stone Barns, and Del Posto. His profound understanding of grand cuisine and leadership abilities have placed him at the forefront of culinary excellence.
As the Principal of KC., Chef Cuomo’s firm specializes in hospitality consulting and concept development, collaborating with partners to craft outstanding food and beverage programs and back-of-house operating systems for leading names like Rosewood Hotels, Pat Lafrieda Restaurants, and Google. His entrepreneurial spirit has led him to be a Chef partner in distinct ventures across the country, including Omar’s in Greenwich Village and Source Urban Brewing in Philadelphia’s Fishtown. His latest collaboration with Ellis Adams Group has brought to life Denae’s, an American diner in Downtown Los Angeles’ historic Superior Oil building. Outside the kitchen, Chef Cuomo resides in New York City with his wife and business partner, Nina Cochrane. Together, they lead Orbit Collective, a strategy-led food and beverage consultancy dedicated to delivering bespoke concepts and operational solutions to a diverse and discerning clientele.
PALOMA ZAIDA
Founder & Principal Designer, Bouvier Partnership with Ellis Adams Group
A life long creative visionary with many facets of life that have attributed to her artistic experience and knowledge to her work as a designer. An alumna to The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM), she received a degree in Fashion Design and Bachelors of Science in Business Management. Through her studies in fashion, work in film, television, and commercial print modeling throughout her life, as well as her love of travel, Paloma developed a deep passion for storytelling and creating full visual experiences inspired by colors, cultures, textures, shapes, movement, and balance. With this passion, Paloma founded Bouvier, House of Creative Design, which specializes in working with start-ups, personal brands, and various businesses to develop and communicate their ideas and presence in the world through their story and brand. Her design philosophy is to eschew from any single style and create timeless, distinctive work that deeply connects with clients and their customers. The foundation of which Bouvier and Ellis Adams Group operate aligned and lead to the opportunity to establish a partnership that further enhances and elevates businesses and brands through the shared passion of fashion, travel, hospitality, art, and design to create unparalleled custom experiences.
OSCAR NIÑO
Director of Technology and Digital Media
Born in Mexico, Oscar Nino moved to the United States at a young age and over the years developed a passion for design. He attended California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree. He has over 11 years of design experience and has worked at some of the best architecture design firms in the US and China. He has extensive knowledge in advanced 3D modeling and rendering techniques. Oscar is driven by curiosity and he is constantly developing innovative solutions to bridge technology and creative 3D media. He specializes in creating immersive virtual reality experiences by using revolutionary technology that completely redefines user engagement in the new digital era. At EAG, Oscar will lead and develop advanced digital solutions by leveraging the power of technology.
ALLY LEONARDO
Project Designer
Growing up in the DC area with a love for dance, art, and design, Ally Leonardo has always been pulled in a creative direction. After completing her Masters for Interior Design at Virginia tech, she solidified her career path in the hospitality industry. Working with renowned mainstream hotel brands, Ally's rapid acquisition of new skills and unwavering work ethic propelled her into the realm of luxury hotel design. Fueled by a deep-seated appreciation for storytelling, travel, diverse cultures, contemporary art, and culinary delights, she continues to elevate her craft within the realm of luxury hospitality design.
MARISA BONANNO
Project Designer
Raised in Charlottesville, VA, Marisa’s passion for design beganat a young age pursuing a design internship which solidified her career path.Marisa then advanced into the world of luxury design after earning her degreein Interior Design at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. Inspired by cityarchitecture, cultural diversity and modern art, Marisa’s design style isthoughtful, innovative and luxurious. Joining EAG as a Project Designer, she isexcited to dive into the hospitality industry.
LARISSA SABLOTNY
Senior Designer
Having a passion for design and creating unique spaces, Larissa started her studies at Illinois State University earning a Bachelor of Science in Interior & Environmental Design with a minor in Construction Management. Since graduating, she has honed her skills and knowledge base working nationally in commercial, educational, and high-end residential design. Having a great interest in hospitality design led her to recently making a transition and join the EAg team, bringing with her ten years’ experience in luxury design.
ROMINA MARTINEZ
Social Media/PR Manager
Romina Martinez has an impressive career spanning various industries and brings a unique blend of experience and expertise to her role at Ellis Adams Group. Previously, Romina held the position of Head of VIP Relations and Senior Publicist at Burgerrock Media, where she spent two years working closely with notable A-list talents and prestigious brands. Her experience in this role has given her a keen eye for luxury and a deep understanding of the lifestyle and hospitality industry. Before venturing into media and public relations, Romina accumulated over seven years of experience in the legal field, showcasing her strong work ethic and attention to detail. She also honed her marketing and advertising skills during her four-year tenure at a leading international performance marketing agency, specializing in scaling Direct-To-Consumer (D2C) products and brands globally. Romina's exceptional ability to blend her legal, marketing, and PR backgrounds has allowed her to craft innovative and effective brand strategies. Her dedication to diligent research and creative media approaches has consistently maximized exposure for her clients, helping them expand their brands and reach new heights. Romina's bilingual proficiency in both English and Spanish enables her to connect with diverse audiences and create meaningful, cross-cultural engagement. As the Social Media Manager and PR at Ellis Adams Group, Romina Martinez is poised to bring her wealth of experience and passion for luxury lifestyle and hospitality to elevate clients' online presence and reputation.
JERRY FERREIRA
Account Executive
With an impressive 19-year career in hospitality and food and beverage, Jerry Ferreira's expertise is deeply rooted in mixology and event execution. His journey began at TGI Fridays, where he developed a foundational skill set that catapulted him into notable roles with Marriott. At the World Center Marriott, Jerry's leadership in menu creation and event management shone, particularly highlighted by his instrumental role in batching 16,000 cocktails for a major event involving 1,600 Marriott managers.
Elevating his craft further, Ferreira was appointed the resident mixologist at JW Marriott Grande Lakes' Primo, where he was responsible for crafting innovative cocktail menus and conducting cocktail classes, earning him the prestigious 5 Diamond Award. His expertise was also showcased at the Tales of the Cocktail event for Marriott in 2022 and the Cayman Cookout task force.
Jerry's arrival at Ellis Adams Group promises an infusion of creativity and excellence in service, underscoring our commitment to delivering unparalleled experiences.
MANNY NADAL
Account Executive
Manny Nadal, an Account Executive at Ellis Adams Group, brings a rich blend of cultural and professional experiences to his role. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in the diverse culinary backdrop of Brooklyn, NY, Manny began his foray into the Food & Beverage industry in the vibrant Spanish and Italian kitchens of his neighborhood. His journey took a turn towards education and community outreach in Washington D.C., where he attended college. However, his passion for F&B continued to thrive as he progressed from serving and bartending roles to management positions within local restaurant groups. Manny's career reached a significant milestone at W Hotels, where he excelled as the General Manager of POV rooftop, one of Marriott’s top grossing global venues, and later spearheaded the opening of W Philadelphia as the Director of Beverage & Food. His expertise further expanded as an openings training manager for CALA. Outside of his professional realm, Manny is a lover of baseball, salsa music, and is affectionately known as both handy Manny and fix-it Felix, showcasing his versatile skills and personable nature.
ITZEL ALVAREZ
Account Executive
Born in Mexico City, Itzel Alvarez has a Sociology degree, with a Diploma in Art History. Her career in hospitality started over 15 years ago in bars in Mexico City. Alvarez has worked for Licorería Limantour, a renowned cocktail bar that has remained in the top 50 best bars in the world since 2014. Alvarez was able to quickly grow into leadership roles such as Project Leader for Ritual de lo Habitual consulting firm and collaborated in the opening of Solaz, a Luxury Collection resort from Marriott, as well as lead the Bar program as a Bar Manager for over 4 years. She contributed to the positioning of the resort's Sunday Brunch as the preferred upscale choice for brunch in the city of Cabo. Itzel supports Ellis Adams Group’s efforts in the creation and implementation of bar programs, bar setup, and staff training all over the Americas with a focus in the Caribbean and Latin America region.
REBECCA MONDAY
Account Executive
Rebecca Monday has been in the hospitality industry for over 16 years with many positions held at some of the top beverage programs. With a strong base in Columbus, Ohio, Monday ran an award winning beverage program for 4 years before leaving to expand her skill set into hotel beverage management, where she oversaw beverage programs for a hotel ownership and management group with 62 hotels worldwide. Monday also was afforded the opportunity to tour the country as an Aperol spritz ambassador. Rebecca was recently named one of Diageo World Class Top 100 bartenders in the US and owns a Columbus based tiki pop up bar company called 614tiki.
KENNY GONZALEZ
Account Executive
Raised in Tennessee, Kenny Gonzalez started his career in hospitality when he moved to Miami over a decade ago where he began as a beach attendant in Miami Beach. Gonzalez was able to quickly grow into leadership roles such as Director of Operations, Corporate Trainer, and Regional General Manager. During this time, Gonzalez was given the opportunity to support various Marriott Luxury Openings, with a focus on training the outdoor spaces. Now joining EAG, Kenny will lead the development of new and innovative training, while executing those ideas within the recreation and front of house areas.
ROBBY DITOTA
Director of Operations
Robby's story in hospitality begins behind the bar where he honed his craft as an acclaimed beverage professional. He joined The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company where he went on to curate multiple beverage programs before transitioning into operational leadership roles with The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott brands. Robby has a genuine passion for the ethos of development and has closely worked with distilleries, breweries, and winemakers to introduce multiple innovative projects to The Ritz-Carlton Resort & Reserve properties. Drawing on his operational background and global beverage knowledge, Robby tailors the professional and organizational development of bars and restaurants to transform the guest experience.
CHRISTY THOMPSON
Studio Principal
As a licensed interior designer, Christy has created experiences for hospitality guests for 15 years in both domestic & international markets. The hospitality industry excites her with its vast global influence and its ability to inspire on a personal level. With a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from Texas Christian University, she combines her understanding of architecture, art, and hospitality through purposeful, detail-oriented design. Christy’s inspiration stems from her insatiable love for travel, experience of other cultures, and desire for exploration. Her design philosophy is that each project has a unique story ready to be written and retold. Christy believes that design is the art of crafting its narrative to be illustrated through elevated style, thoughtful details, and carefully curated art and artifacts. From designing the first AC Hotels by Marriott in the United States to opulent resorts in India, Christy’s passion for lifestyle and luxury is reflected in her design narratives.
PATRICK KING
Vice President of Operations and Development
Patrick King, originally from Florida, is a seasoned professional in the entertainment and hospitality industries, with beginnings at Disney's Magic Kingdom in the late 1980s. After a decade in the music business, he transitioned to hospitality in Los Angeles, where he gained extensive experience in various settings, from quick-service restaurants (QSR) to Michelin-level venues. His notable achievements also include leading the food and beverage program at 1 Hotels. Following this, he led the operations for a prominent Los Angeles-based hospitality company. Under his guidance, they launched Donna's, one of LA's hottest new restaurants, further cementing his reputation as a leader who not only foresees industry trends but also creates them. From free standing restaurants and bars to full hotel operations he has extensive experience in openings and operations. With a passion for creating dynamic spaces that marry exceptional products with unparalleled service, Patrick is an integral part of the Ellis Adams Group, continuously pushing the boundaries of hospitality and entertainment.
JASON SANDERS
Senior Vice President of Development
Jason Sanders started working in hospitality as a teenager, progressing from restaurants to casual bars to fine dining before landing with The Ritz-Carlton, taking on progressively more challenging roles, leading every aspect of Food & Beverage in multiple top-performing hotels. Sanders then joined the Marriott International Global Operations team, where he led broader Restaurant and Bar (R+B) strategy projects and spearheaded new R+B concept development, creating innovative, relevant offerings in new and renovated hotels throughout the full-service and luxury segments of the portfolio. He draws on his operational background and passion for all aspects of the beverage world, approaching EA client and partner relationships from a unique perspective.
MARICELA SALCIDO
Senior Vice President of Operations
Born and raised in Long Beach, California, Maricela Salcido developed her passion for the hotel industry while attending California State University, Long Beach. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Dietic and Food Service Administration with an emphasis in Hospitality Foodservice and Hotel Management while working at a local restaurant. Upon joining the Marriott International team, Salcido held many positions, including training the Food & Beverage teams at numerous hotel locations on brand standards, service, and core job duties, providing her with the foundation for her career. During her role with the Hotel Openings & Transitions team, she met Chris Adams, founder of international hospitality firm Ellis Adams Group (EAG). They worked together to oversee hotel openings across the United States. Salcido supports EA’s efforts in creating and executing all programs, assisting in bar setup, and staff training. Additionally, she oversees the operations of all current and future EA concepts.
CHRIS ADAMS
Founder, CEO
Chris Adams was born in Florida and spent his formative years in the hospitality industry working his way up The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. After growing up in the entertainment industry, Adams founded Ellis Adams Group (EAG) as an international hospitality consulting firm. The group focuses on all aspects of businesses, including building brands, concept and design development, training, management, revenue generation, and profit margin increases. The hospitality firm’s current project list is dynamic and constantly growing, with over 100 active ventures underway around the globe.
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