Hilton Chicago Indian Lakes Resort Hires Seasoned General Manager and Former White House Chef

Industry leaders Jason Connor and Chris Solare join First Hospitality Group

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. March 10, 2016

ROSEMONT, IL. March 10, 2016 — Rosemont, Ill.based First Hospitality Group, Inc. (FHG) announced today that it has hired Jason Connor as the new general manager and Chris Solare as the new executive chef at Hilton Chicago Indian Lakes Resort. First Hospitality Group, Inc. President and CEO Robert Habeeb made the announcement.

A third generation hotelier with Four Seasons background, Connor brings nearly a decade of general manager experience to FHG. Most recently, he served as the general manager at Salishan Spa & Golf Resort, which, under his leadership, was elevated to a four diamond rating, ranked 12th in Conde Nast's Best in the Country and earned a spot in the Top 500 for Travel & Leisure.

Solare, a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Chicago, has worked in the culinary industry for more than 10 years and has been recognized with the American Culinary Federation Chicago Chapter President's Award in 2012 and 2011. He notably served as the White House Mess chef in 2004 and 2005.

“Chris and Jason are a powerful duo and the vast knowledge and passion that they have for their crafts make them both assets to FHG and the Hilton Chicago Indian Lakes Resort,” said Habeeb. “The property already has so much to offer guests and diners, and we can't wait to see how these two industry stars will take it to the next level.”

The Hilton Chicago Indian Lakes Resort offers world class dining options ranging from The Cave, a fun place to enjoy drinks and appetizers surrounded by the natural beauty of the indoor atrium, to Izzy and Moe's Speakeasy, that features live entertainment, karaoke, DJ and dancing, to Masters Club House Restaurant which celebrates the rich tradition of golf and relaxation with a casual menu of signature favorites. Shiraz on the Water is the resort's elegant dining option overlooking the water, providing a unique blend of contemporary cuisine and an award-winning wine list with more than 100 labels. In addition, Hilton Indian Lakes Resort features a conference center with over 50,000 square feet of flexible space.

"When I was reviewing the history of Hilton Indian Lakes Resort, one thing stood out to me—the dining experience was always amazing,” said Connor. “I knew that I needed to find a chef that had a passion for food and from the moment I met Chris, I knew I had found the chef for this resort. His love and respect for his profession combined with his passion and drive to create amazing things is what will set our culinary team apart from the rest."

Hilton Chicago Indian Lakes Resort, set on a green 270 acres, blends modern comfort with prairie style with exhilarating and relaxing outdoor activities including the Blackhawk Trace Golf Club and Resolution Spa & Wellness Center. Only 30 minutes from downtown Chicago, the location is ideal for a balance between what the city has to offer and the beautiful natural landscape.

First Hospitality Group, Inc. (FHG) is a leading hotel management, acquisition and development company with more than 30 years of award-winning experience. FHG's unique people-driven professional culture fosters a team of highly skilled and motivated hospitality experts who consistently deliver outstanding property level performance, as well as memorable and engaging guest experiences. Headquartered in Chicago, FHG's portfolio features 19 brands and 43 properties throughout the Midwest. For more information, visit, www.fhginc.com.

Contact:
Morgan Mark
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248.258.2333 | f: 248.258.1942