Jette Starniri, Vice President of Operations, Maritime Parc, Jersey City, N.J.As VP of operations, Jette Starniri is involved in all aspects of the 30,000-square-foot, tri-level restaurant and event space known as Maritime Parc. A 10-year hospitality veteran, Starniri got her start working at a golf course in her hometown of Seattle. Recently, from the eatery's perch on the Hudson River in New Jersey's Liberty State Park, she found time to chat with M&C.
How do you bring some fun to a meeting?
One favorite activity is our Iron Chef competition, where we create challenges in making offbeat dishes as teams -- like our grilled octopus, chorizo, arugula, preserved lemon-pimentón aioli sandwich. It's delicious, and uses ingredients that are simple but unlikely to be found in guests' kitchens. And we always donate leftover food to a local food kitchen, which clients feel great about.
You've been quoted as saying the restaurant/event business is like the fashion industry. How so?
Just like in fashion, food is based on seasons. Our chef and owner Chris Siversen re-creates menus every season based on the best ingredients, food trends and flavors. For events, I constantly try to complement the food with new visuals, cultural trends and fresh ideas. In an even more direct connection, an interesting fashion pattern that I see in a magazine might be the next pattern on a cake. These factors come into play when we host fashion shows on our terraces.
How do you cater to guests from overseas?
Of course, our strong suit is food. We can set up bubble tea stations, Korean BBQ, meatballs from around the world -- once we even set up a bundt cake station. We like to be as creative in a culinary sense as our clients will allow.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I really love to travel, and if I'm at home you'll find me in my vegetable garden.
ON THE MOVEDestinations
VisitPittsburgh has appointed
Tamara Whiting to serve as its new national sales director.
Hotels & Other Venues
Associated Luxury Hotels International (representing a portfolio of 140 properties) has hired Laura Arth (right) as regional vice president for the Mid-Atlantic region, and David Folkeson as director of sales.
Dawn Berry has been named spa manager for the 7,800-square-foot Thann Sanctuary Spa in the 31-room Castle Hotel & Spa in Tarrytown, N.Y.
At the 338-room Coeur d'Alene (Idaho) Resort, Steve Carey has been promoted to national sales manager for the Southwest region.
Evan Clapper has been hired to serve as program director for the 55-suite Sorrel River Ranch Resort and Spa in The Woodlands, Texas.
The 330-room Knickerbocker Hotel in New York City's Times Square has named Jeff David managing director. Currently closed for renovation, the vintage 1906 property will reopen in early 2014.
Alan Feuerman has been hired as director of sales and marketing at the 484-room Westin Cleveland Downtown, which is set to open in spring 2014.
The 463-room Conrad New York in Lower Manhattan has hired Paul Holden as director of sales and marketing.
Skye Holyfield has been named national sales manager of the Krisam Group and Global Events Partners.
At the 710-room Lexington New York City, James Marino is the new general manager.
The 1.2 million-square-foot George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston has appointed Luis Sepulveda general manager for food and beverage operations.
Philippe Spagnol has been hired to serve as general manager of the 174-room Hotel Amigo in Brussels, Belgium.
At the 100,000-square-foot Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London, Mark Taylor has been appointed chief executive.