Hotel Hartness promotes Gianna Smutzki to Executive Chef
October 29, 2024
Hotel Hartness announced the promotion of Gianna Smutzki to Executive Chef. Smutzki, who has been an integral part of the Patterson Kitchen + Bar’s culinary team since its 2023 opening, previously served as Chef de Cuisine and has more than 12 years of experience in fine dining, with expertise in French cuisine, seafood, and plant-based dishes.
“Chef Smutzki’s passion for culinary excellence and her innovative approach to cooking truly embody the spirit of Hotel Hartness,” said Albert Mertz, General Manager of Hotel Hartness. “We are thrilled to see her step into the role of Executive Chef, where she will continue to elevate the property’s guest experience and showcase the incredible local flavors that our patrons enjoy.”
In her new role as Executive Chef, Smutzki will oversee culinary programming across the hotel, including Patterson Kitchen + Bar, The Captain, and over 16,000 square feet of dedicated event space. She will continue to work closely with the on-site Hartness farm, sourcing fresh, local produce to craft seasonal menus that reflect her passion for sustainability and innovation. Smutzki will also collaborate with the culinary team, including Chef de Cuisine Veronica Rodriguez, to ensure that Patterson Kitchen + Bar remains a premier destination for fine dining in the Upstate, offering a variety of weekly specials, including a chef’s vegan special.
“Being part of the Hotel Hartness team and working with local farms has allowed me to connect more deeply with my cooking and with the guests we serve,” Smutzki says. “I’m excited to continue enhancing our culinary offerings with dishes that inspire and delight our guests.”
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 near downtown Greenville. The property stands out in the Upstate as a destination for luxurious accommodations, fine dining, and resort-style amenities.
About Hotel Hartness
Hotel Hartness, a luxury boutique hotel 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 482-acre urban village offering residences and homesites, as well as opportunities for dining, shopping, entertainment, and office space, connected by lush pathways, green streets, and community gathering spaces. Adhering to the planning principles of New Urbanism and conceived as a Traditional Neighborhood Development, 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 Swim Club, a Racquet Sports Center, and Clubhouse. The Village Center at Hartness, open to residents and the public alike, is currently home to The One 5 at Hartness and will eventually house various specialty retail shops, casual and fine dining, and essential community. Located within the community is Hotel Hartness, which 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.
