Photos courtesy The Alida Hotel
Makeready, a hotel, restaurant and retail operator and management company, is pleased to announce that Javier Hernandez has been named executive chef for the food and beverage program at Savannah-based, The Alida, which includes Rhett, a favorite restaurant among both locals and visitors. Hernandez joins the group after serving as chef de cuisine of Lounges at JW Marriott in Savannah.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Chef Hernandez to the team at Makeready and The Alida,” says Justin Fields, Senior Vice President, Food and Beverage at Makeready. “We look forward to the continued growth of Rhett’s culinary team under the helm of Chef Hernandez as his wealth of knowledge and experience will continue to support the exceptional dining experience.”
As executive chef, Hernandez will be responsible for The Alida’s overall culinary program which includes Rhett, the hotel’s signature restaurant, The Lost Square, Savannah hot spot roof top bar, The Trade Room, the only whisky bar in Savannah, pool bar and in-room dining. Hernandez will also oversee Rhett’s impactful Young Guns program and continue to cultivate a creative environment for growth and mentorship for the culinary team by showcasing their work through the initiative. Responsibilities will include the hiring and training of all culinary staff, budget creation and management, and development and oversight of menus.
“I am truly thrilled to be joining Makeready and the incredible team already in place at The Alida,” says Javier Hernandez. “I look forward to bringing a fresh perspective to the overall food and beverage program while maintaining the high standard currently that currently exists.”
Hernandez joins Makeready with more than 13 years of experience in the culinary industry. Hernandez joins The Alida from the Lounges at JW Marriott where he served as chef de cuisine leading their food and beverages efforts for three hotel lounges, in addition to maintaining budgets and hiring and training of all culinary staff. Additionally, Hernandez’s experience in the culinary industry extends through his senior roles where he previously served as sous chef for Compass Group which included The Hive and SCAD, sous chef for Savannah Spirts Chop House, sous chef for Savannah Quarters Country Club and banquet chef for Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort.
ABOUT THE ALIDA HOTEL
The Alida Hotel is a 173-room boutique hotel situated on historic Savannah’s River Street in the burgeoning Plant Riverside District. Offering a number of charming spaces and experiences waiting to be discovered, The Alida features a heated and chilled year-round saltwater pool with private cabanas, The Lost Square outdoor rooftop bar, Rhett – a classic American Kitchen, The Trade Room chic lobby bar and Keep Shop retail experience. For special occasions or meetings of the minds, The Alida blends timeless beauty and Southern hospitality along the picturesque Savannah River for gatherings of 20 to 200 people. Nostalgic and graceful, industrial yet curated, curious and always custom – The Alida offers a distinct design perspective and unique representation of local artists, makers and thinkers with each guestroom and suite adorned with a one-of-a-kind element created by the renowned Savannah College of Art & Design.
ABOUT MAKEREADY
Designed from the ground up to create truly independent hotel, restaurant and retail brands with individual points of view, Makeready is a different kind of hotel operator, one that provides an opportunity for travelers to connect to the world around them, city by city and person by person. Makeready is passionate about developing independent experiences that are an essential part of each community, cultivating deep, emotional connections across guests, teams and local brands to create sustainable value for investors. Makeready operates notable hotels, restaurants and retail shops throughout the country such as: Noelle, Keep Shop, Hidden Bar and Makeready L&L in Nashville; The Alida and Rhett in Savannah; The Adolphus and Commerce Goods + Supply in Dallas; Emeline, Frannie & The Fox and Hank’s Seafood Restaurant in Charleston and its elevated venue space for private events, Hank’s Social Hall. Find us online at www.makereadyexperience.com.
