Bollhoefer has been recognized for his menu creation and kitchen operation expertise and is a true champion of locally-sourced cuisine. Bollhoefer has developed several key partnerships with local farmers, volunteers for the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, and oversees our Chef’s Garden with the assistance of our friends and partners at Ivy Creek Farms.

Bollhoefer arrived in Asheville in 2014 to join the culinary team at The Omni Grove Park from its sister property, Omni Chicago Hotel, where he served as Executive Sous Chef and expanded the hotel’s house-made charcuterie program to an award-winning level. Before his role in Chicago, he also spent a year and a half as Chef de Cuisine at Omni La Mansion Del Rio in San Antonio, Tex., overseeing the AAA Four Diamond-rated fine-dining restaurant Las Canarias.

Prior to joining to moving to Asheville, Bollhoefer worked for Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport where he held multiple chef positions. Bollhoefer has been working in professional kitchens since 2005.

Bollhoefer is a graduate of the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Orlando.

Since joining the team Escalante has flourished in an environment where she is empowered to put all of her time, energy, and passion into guest interactions and individualized training to staff. Her heart goes into the handcrafted, both simple and complex seasonal cocktails for every palate.

Escalante has been in Asheville since 2004 when she moved to study Creative Writing. Escalante joined the Asheville food and beverage scene in 2008 at the iconic Grove Park Inn where she held many positions in multiple outlets from bartender to the General Manager at Edison Craft Ales + Kitchen, a new restaurant concept that she was instrumental in launching.

Opening a new restaurant allowed Escalante to utilize both her role as a bartender and manager in creative ways, focusing on the importance of service and training. During this time Escalante truly honed her passion for classic cocktails, North Carolina breweries, unique wine, and local ingredients. Ten years at the Omni Grove Park Inn helped to solidify the mentality that the best cocktails and memorable dining experiences come from passion, knowledge of spirits, and locally sourced ingredients.