HUNTSVILLE, Ala. & SPRINGFIELD, Mo.–(John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts (JQH) today announced that Hana Colvin has joined the company as executive chef of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Huntsville Hotel & Spa in Alabama. With a flair for farm-to-table cuisine, Colvin will oversee the food and beverage team at the upscale, 295-suite hotel connected via skybridge to the Von Braun Center. She will supervise the debut of this TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame hotel’s The R. restaurant on October 20. Embassy Suites by Hilton Huntsville is owned and operated by Springfield, Missouri-based JQH, a leading private, independent owner and manager of hotels in the United States, including operating more than 1 million square feet of superb meeting space.
“Executive Chef Colvin is adding real Southern essence to our hotel’s new culinary offering. Her farming heritage rings true with her inspired style for bringing to life the natural flavors of fresh, high-quality food ingredients,” said Sandi Snead, general manager of JQH’s Embassy Suites by Hilton Huntsville Hotel & Spa. “With our ideal location in beautiful downtown Huntsville, we are also excited to offer the delicious dishes of our new restaurant, The R., al fresco with Big Spring Park canal views.”
Farm-to-Table Roots
Executive Chef Colvin grew up on a farm, where her family harvested many of the fresh ingredients for cooking their favorite dishes. Later she moved to her nanny’s horse farm, where she learned more about real Southern cooking at the apron strings of her first culinary mentor. Most recently, she served as executive chef of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Decatur Riverfront in Alabama, where she oversaw the restaurant, kitchen and banquet events of the rebranded hotel. Her additional experiences with Hilton properties include her role as executive chef at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Murfreesboro in Tennessee and as sous chef at the Hilton Knoxville Airport (Alcoa) in Tennessee. Executive Chef Colvin is a Certified ServSafe® Food Protection Manager and also trained in kosher cooking. She attended Chattanooga State Community College and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She is active in the communities in which she works, including collaborating with local youth organizations to demonstrate green space gardening and healthy eating habits/cooking.
Executive Chef Colvin said, “JQH is well known for exemplary food and beverage standards nationwide. I’m looking forward to sharing my deep-rooted culinary style of farm to table, love for creating scrumptious desserts, and belief in teamwork cultivation as we showcase cuisine with a Southern flair, including tasty catfish and a beautiful New York Strip. I’m also eager to get our hotel garden started for picking fresh herbs.”
Expertise
The R. restaurant will be located in the dining space occupied by Ruth’s Chris Steak House at Embassy Suites by Hilton Huntsville Hotel & Spa. JQH provides food and beverage operations to the company’s 35 hotels nationwide, including extensive meeting space. Executive Chef Colvin and her team will be able to tap into the wealth of knowledge and resources of an award-winning hospitality industry leader, including tools such as online banquet menus and sustainable protocols, such as a Styrofoam ban as a company.
Judy Ryals, president and CEO, Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said, “The relocation of the Ruth’s Chris Steak House to another location in downtown Huntsville allows the Embassy Suites by Hilton Huntsville Hotel & Spa to offer their own culinary specialties to guests, banquet attendees and local residents alike. The addition of more outstanding dining options is exciting, and we anticipate each restaurant will do very well.”
