Atlanta — November 22, 2019 — Hilton Atlanta has announced a new culinary leadership team at the 1,249-room hotel with the addition of two new team members – Executive Chef Christian Quiñones Vargas and Director of Food and Beverage Alexander Busch.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Chef Christian and Alexander to our team at Hilton Atlanta,” said Brad Koeneman, general manager of Hilton Atlanta. “As one of the largest hotels in Atlanta welcoming thousands of guests from around the world every year, our visitors expect a refined culinary experience. In addition to Chef’s extensive food and beverage experience and Alexander’s leadership, both gentlemen have held both titles of executive chef and director of food and beverage which will further position us for success both front-of-house and heart-of-house. Their approach ensures that our team will continue to deliver an elevated and dynamic approach to the food scene here in Atlanta.”
With the addition of Chef Christian and Alexander to the food and beverage leadership team, the team will focus on further elevating and innovating the current food and beverage offerings at Hilton Atlanta, focusing on ingredients, flare, flavor and presentation to ensure each dish is modernized and refreshed.
New menu highlights include locally-inspired Crab and Corn Hush Puppies with avocado aioli and a “Hot” Chicken Bao Bun which combines the famous hot southern chicken dish with an Asian classic. Chef Christian and his team also have a unique take on the classic Shrimp and Grits dish featuring a breaded grit cake with creamy grits on the inside. The hotel is also working with local breweries to unveil a local beer pairing menu in the next few weeks.
Executive Chef Christian Quiñones Vargas
Executive Chef Christian Quiñones Vargas joins Hilton Atlanta with over 15 years of professional experience in the kitchen. In his new role, Chef Christian will be responsible for menu development, concept and programming for the hotel’s signature restaurant Southern Elements, rooftop restaurant – Nikolai’s Roof, Polynesian-style restaurant – Trader Vic’s, in-room dining and banquet operations.
Prior to joining Hilton, Chef Christian was the executive chef and food and beverage director at the W Hotel Brickell in Miami. He also held the title of executive chef at the West Palm Beach Marriott, along with various culinary roles in Puerto Rico at Empresas Santana, Emigrante Gastrobar and the InterContinental San Juan.
Chef Christian has two associates degrees in Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts from the Florida Culinary Institute.
Director of Food and Beverage Alexander Busch
With over 30 years of hospitality experience, Alexander Busch joins Hilton Atlanta as the property’s new director of food and beverage from the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, where he held the title of executive chef and director of food and beverage for nearly 25 years. In his new position, Alexander will be responsible for overseeing the hotel’s culinary team, banquet operations and overseeing the hotel’s four restaurants.
Prior to joining Hilton Atlanta, Alexander held various positions at JW Marriott Buckhead, New York Marriott Marquis, Orlando World Center Marriott Resort & Convention Center, San Juan Marriott Resort & Convention Center and more.
Alexander is a veteran of the German military.
One of Atlanta’s top convention hotels, Hilton Atlanta is home to an array of dining options, including a 24-hour grab-and-go offering at Marketplace, the property’s signature restaurant – Southern Elements, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and Trader Vic’s, a Polynesian-style restaurant serving everything from tropical cuisine to world-famous Mai Tai cocktails. For an extra indulgent experience, guests can enjoy panoramic views of the Atlanta skyline at the AAA Four Diamond award-winning restaurant, Nikolai’s Roof.
Hilton Atlanta is part of Hilton Honors®, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton’s 17 distinct hotel brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount that can’t be found anywhere else and free standard Wi-Fi. Members also enjoy popular digital tools available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app, where Hilton Honors members can check-in, choose their room and access their room using a Digital Key.
