Hotel Hartness announces expansion of culinary team
April 10, 2023
Hotel Hartness announces the expansion of its culinary team as it opens its doors to the public. Gianna Smutzi and Juan Nieto join Patterson Kitchen + Bar as chef de cuisine and general manager, respectively, and Kristyn Gizzi has been appointed pastry chef of Hotel Hartness. Led by Hotel Hartness’ Executive Chef Tanner Marino and Executive Sous Chef Tim Uphold, this exceptional team will oversee culinary programing across the hotel to include the fine-dining restaurant Patterson Kitchen + Bar, The Captain, an intimate bar located inside the Hartness Manor, and over 16,000 square feet of dedicated space for meetings and events.
“We are very excited to have such an impressive culinary team and know their collective talent will further differentiate Hotel Hartness, as well as Greenville, as a place for unique and world-class dining experiences,” said Albert Mertz, general manager at Hotel Hartness. “Coupled with the property’s exceptional service and a stunning setting, Chef Tanner and the team’s focus on innovative yet approachable cuisine results in dining options that are suited for both every day and special occasions.”
Gianna Smutzki will serve as the chef de cuisine of Patterson Kitchen + Bar. Smutzki has over 12 years of experience and previously served as executive chef at Rick Erwins West End restaurant in Greenville. Smutzki is broadly trained in various culinary specialties such as French cuisine, fine dining, steak and seafood specialties, and classical cooking. Kristyn Gizzi, named 2022 Pastry Chef of the Year by the South Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association, will serve as pastry chef for the hotel. Gizzi is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of Charleston and brings with her over a decade of experience, most recently acting as pastry chef at Hotel Domestique’s Restaurant 17 in Travelers Rest. Juan Nieto will oversee operations of Patterson Kitchen + Bar as General Manager. Nieto holds a diploma in culinary arts from The Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago and was previously the campus food and beverage manager at The Peace Center in downtown Greenville.
Formerly a family home located in the award-winning Hartness community and nestled next to a 180-acre nature preserve, Hotel Hartness offers a tranquil natural retreat in proximity to downtown Greenville. The property is unlike any other in the Upstate as a destination for luxurious accommodations, elevated dining, and resort-style amenities.
About Hotel Hartness
Hotel Hartness, situated within the award-winning Hartness community, offers 73 guest rooms, an executive conference center, waterside dining, and a luxury spa. It is located on South Highway 14 between Pelham and Woodruff roads – conveniently located on Greenville’s urban edge adjacent to the I-85 corridor, ten miles from downtown and five miles from GSP Airport. For more information on Hotel Hartness, visit www.hotelhartness.com.
About Hay Creek Hotels
Founded in 2005 and based in Exeter, New Hampshire, Hay Creek Hotels is a leader in upscale independent full-service lodging and dining. Guided by international hospitality industry veterans, the company prides itself on a unique combination of award-winning dining experiences, exceptional guest service, and contemporary accommodations. The company offers a full spectrum of technical and third-party management services to boutique hotel owners and developers. Hay Creek Hotels combines decades of industry expertise with fully integrated management systems specifically designed for full-service upscale and luxury-oriented hotels, inns, and resorts. For more information, please visit www.haycreekhotels.com.
About Hartness
Hartness is an award-winning 467-acre urban village offering residences and homesites connected by lush pathways, green streets, and community gathering spaces. It also boasts unique amenities including the Grand Lawn, the Sports Garden, the Hartness Farm, 15 miles of outdoor trails throughout the development’s 180 preserved acres, a fitness center, and many sparkling lakes and ponds. Additional amenities will include a Tennis Center, a clubhouse, and a resort-style pool complex. The Village Center at Hartness, open to residents and the public alike, will soon be home to The one 5 at Hartness and various specialty retail shops, casual and fine dining, and services will be located there as well. Hotel Hartness, situated within the community offers 73 guest rooms, an executive conference center, waterside dining, and a luxury spa. Hartness is located on South Highway 14 between Pelham and Woodruff roads – conveniently located on Greenville’s urban edge adjacent to the I-85 corridor, ten miles from downtown and five miles from GSP Airport. For more information on Hartness, visit www.hartnessliving.com.
