SEATTLE, (November 22, 2023) – Lotte Hotel Seattle, a modern new icon in downtown Seattle, today announced the appointment of three respected culinary leaders to the food and beverage team. Jesse Olsen has been appointed Executive Chef, Antonio Giovanni Artale has joined as Director of Food and Beverage, and Jon Park has joined as senior sous chef. The trio of seasoned professionals will lead the signature dining venue, Charlotte Restaurant & Lounge, along with social and group event catering at Lotte Seattle, voted the #1 Luxury Hotel in Seattle by Travel + Leisure’s 2023 World’s Best Awards.
“We are delighted to welcome Chef Jesse Olsen, Antonio Giovanni Artale, and Jon Park to Lotte Hotel Seattle,” said Steven Kalczynski, General Manager of Lotte Hotel Seattle. “All three individuals bring a wealth of experience in the culinary and beverage world, leadership skills, and incredible passion for hospitality. We know that they will be irreplaceable additions to the Lotte family.”
Chef Jesse Olsen joins Lotte Hotel Seattle with over 30 years of experience in the culinary field helming the kitchens of luxury hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants around the world. A Seattle native, he’ll draw on his wealth of experience to oversee the menu design and execution at Charlotte Restaurant & Lounge, the hotel’s contemporary dining venue dedicated to showcasing the Pacific Northwest cuisine. Chef Olsen comes to Lotte Hotel Seattle with over three decades of culinary experience, from Michelin- starred restaurants to leading luxury hotels and private establishments. He most recently served as Executive Chef of the Seattle Tennis Club and prior to the club, the Woodmark Hotel in Kirkland and Four Seasons Hotels in Seattle. His earlier career includes tenures at Four Seasons Hotels in California, and Hawaii, Egypt, Mahe Island, and Seychelles. A Washington state native, Olsen studied at Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon.
Another local talent, Antonio Giovanni Artale, Director of Food & Beverage, takes the helm after serving as Director of Food & Beverage outlets at The Chartler Hotel, CURIO Collection by Hilton in Seattle, Restaurant General Manager at Afuri Izakaya in Oregon, and Restaurant General Manager at The Porter Hotel, CURIO Collection by Hilton in Portland. In addition to managing hotel fine dining in the United States, Artale has experience leading fast-paced restaurants and popular bars in Sicily.
Jon Park, joins Lotte Hotel Seattle as Senior Sous Chef, to work closely in the kitchen creating new recipes. Previously, he served as the Sous Chef at Seattle Tennis Club and Sous Chef at Bunsoy and Purple Cafe & Wine Bar in Seattle. He began his career at Chiso Sushi and graduated from Seattle University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Park has experience with staff training, special events and catering, food plating and presentation, culinary trends, and more. He is passionate about not only providing guests a delicious meal, but providing them a memorable dining experience.
Charlotte Restaurant & Lounge, located on the 16th floor, is the hotel’s signature restaurant and cocktail lounge offering breathtaking panoramic views of downtown Seattle, Elliott Bay, and the Olympic Mountains. The culinary experience at Charlotte Restaurant & Lounge features a Contemporary Pacific Northwest cuisine in an innovative yet approachable style. Inspired by the abundance of unique seasonal and sustainably grown ingredients from local foragers and farms, the dining menu is ever-changing to reflect the products in season. Every dish is delicately plated while the taste composition is refined and balanced to highlight the natural flavors of the exceptionally fresh ingredients from the local community.
For more information, please visit https://www.lottehotelseattle.com/.
