Brings extensive experience and expertise to The National’s culinary team
LEESBURG, Va., Sept. 8, 2015 – Geoff Lawson, vice president and general manager of The National and West Belmont Place, announced today the hiring of John Walsh as Food & Beverage Director.
Walsh brings more than 30 years of experience that includes being part of the Jack Welch Training Center’s team and working directly with the well-known Jack Welch, chairman and CEO of General Electric as well as Sam Palmisano from IBM Palisades Learning Center. Walsh also developed and oversaw the Gastro Bar inside New York’s first Tryp Hotel by Wyndham. He directed and developed the food and beverage program at The New York Helmsley and he served as complex director of food and beverage for the Wyndham Hotel Group in New York City.
“We are delighted to have John as part of our culinary team,” stated Lawson. “John brings additional expertise and will work well with our talented Executive Chef Chris Ferrier.” The National and West Belmont Place have recently expanded the property’s culinary programs to include a chef’s table, a wine program, as well as a robust farm-to-table program (not easy to do at a site that oftentimes serves more than a thousand meals a day.)
Both Walsh and Ferrier are graduates of the Culinary Institute of America. Walsh also graduated from the College of Mount Saint Vincent. In addition to his passion for food and beverage, he enjoys golf, racquetball and martial arts. He lives in Rockland County, New York.
