Industry News for September 7, 2024

Hot Off the Presses

The City of Maryland Heights is excited to announce a new, five-year management agreement with Oak View Group for the Centene Community Ice Center. This updated agreement represents a strategic move to enhance the City’s oversight and maintain top-quality service at this key facility in the St. Louis area. Since its opening in 2019, Oak View Group has successfully managed the Centene Community Ice Center. Following the termination of the previous agreement with the Legacy Ice Foundation this past July, the City of Maryland Heights has collaborated closely with Oak View Group to craft a new management arrangement. A significant change in this agreement is the revised approach to food and beverage services. Oak View Group will now have exclusive rights to manage all food and beverage operations at the Center, including the option to subcontract these services. Additionally, Oak View Group will manage financial operations and provide regular financial reports to the City. This revised management structure aims to bolster revenue generation and financial stability.  

People on the Move

La Concha Key West, the newly-reimagined, ultimate escape from the ordinary with a warm and vibrant tropical Key West experience, proudly announces Executive Chef Juan Cuadra. Overseeing the development, opening and introduction of the new Tropicado mojito bar, El Dom Café and Perla restaurant, Cuadra brings passion, experience and energy to the La Concha Key West team. As a proven leader in the culinary world for more than 17 years, Cuadra studied French cooking and is also seasoned in Hispanic cuisine. Finessing many cooking styles through his travels, Caudra originally studied at Le Cordon Bleu and then later served as the executive chef at a variety of restaurants across the nation as well as at resorts in the Florida Keys. Cuadra’s epicurean approach is focused on local and authentic ingredients, using sustainable ingredients when possible to properly showcase the culture and flavors of the location. Giving back to the community is a significant part of Cuadra’s mission. He is very active in the Key West community, supporting those in need by feeding the homeless, hosting complimentary community cooking classes for lower income families and collaborating with a program to help with food preparedness for single mothers on a limited budget.  

Katie Pavkov has been promoted to Corporate Director of Food and Beverage at Pacifica Hotels. Most recently Pavkov served as Corporate Food & Beverage Manager at Pacifica Hotels. Pavkov boasts extensive experience in the hospitality industry. Prior to her time at Pacifica Hotels, Pavkov was the Training and Operations Manager at Captivate Hospitality Group. She has also held positions at Solstice, Del Frisco’s Grille, and PF Chang’s.