Hotel at Auburn University Adds World-class Leadership and Experience to Its Executive Staff

• 
  SAVE
• 
  SHARE
• 
  TEXT SIZE
• 
  PRINT
• 
  COMMENT
• 
  PDF

. February 06, 2014

AUBURN, AL - February 6, 2014 - The Hotel at Auburn University is pleased to announce new additions to its executive staff. Fernando Cruz has been named the Executive Chef of Ariccia, Piccolo and the hotel, and Adam Keeshan has been appointed the Director of Food & Beverage.

“I am very excited about the new changes in our executive and culinary line up,” said Hans van der Reijden, Managing Director of The Hotel at Auburn University. “Chef Cruz and Adam Keeshan are sure to bring fresh ideas and exceptional customer service to our guests. With their creative talents, they will help our guests create wonderful culinary memories.”

Chef Fernando Cruz will serve as the Executive Chef of Ariccia, Piccolo and the hotel. His duties will include overseeing all culinary concepts and operations including creating new seasonal menus and the hiring and training of all chefs, cooks, and other members of the culinary team, as well as contributing to the growth of the hotel, Ariccia and Piccolo. Chef Cruz brings with him years of international leadership and culinary experience. His experience throughout the United States, Europe and in Puerto Rico will guarantee that he will bring fresh ideas to Auburn.

A native of Puerto Rico, Chef Cruz joins The Hotel at Auburn University from Ernie's Restaurant, La Quinta Resort-Waldorf Astoria Collection Resort / PGA West in California, where he served as the Executive Chef. Prior to that, he served as the Restaurant Chef at Private Beach Club, Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort in Florida and as a Sous Chef for the Cappella Hotel Group in New Jersey. He also worked at Restaurante Akelarre, a 3 Michelin Star Restaurant & Relais Chateaux in San Sebastian, Spain. Chef Cruz attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.

As the Director of Food & Beverage, Adam Keeshan will helm the entire Food and Beverage operation to include Ariccia, Piccolo, Caffe Siena, Room Service and the Catering and Banquet operations. In his role he will ensure the food and beverage programs continue to exceed guests' expectations.

Keeshan has worked with The Hotel at Auburn University since 2008 and held positions as a bartender and restaurant server, food and beverage supervisor, conference service manager, and senior restaurant manager. In both managerial positions, Keeshan supervised employees and ensured that all local, transient and group guests had seamless and positive experiences in The Hotel at Auburn University's restaurant and bar, as well as at special events.

Keeshan attended school at Auburn University and received his Bachelor of Arts in public relations in 2008. He also attended the University of Salamanca in Salamanca, Spain during a study abroad program in 2004. Keeshan was appointed “Leader of the Year” for The Hotel at Auburn University in 2012 as the Canon Award Winner, and also “Employee of the Year” in 2010 as the Zeitgeist Award Winner.