RONNIE COLLINS

Executive Chef

Chef Ronnie began his time at The Monford Rooftop Bar in the summer of 2022 and brings over eighteen years of culinary experience to the team. Originally from East Lansing, MI, he experience early in his career working in local restaurants. Chef Ronnie attended the School of Culinary Arts at Kendall College in Goose Island, Chicago.

Show More
Ronnie began his career as a professional chef at the famed AAA Four Diamond Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park CA. After a few years of living the outdoor life, Chef returned to Chicago where he rose to the position of Sous Chef in two different Michelin Guide Restaurants. Browntrout, a beloved north side farm to table neighborhood mainstay, and Maude’s, Brendan Sodikoff’s award winning Provencal Bistro in Chicago’s West Loop.
Arriving in Asheville nine years ago Chef Ronnie joined Biltmore Estate as an integral member of the Biltmore Catering team, and was quickly promoted to Executive Sous Chef of the Village Hotel, a position he held for five years. Most recently Ronnie was the opening Chef for the Rhubarb group, spearheading the opening of a diner concept in Marshall, NC before joining the Parks Hospitality Team as Executive Chef in June of 2022.

KHALIDAH MARTINEAU-LOPEZ

The Montford General Manager

Khalidah joined The Montford team in July 2022. Khalidah grew up in the mountains of upstate New York and is a proud graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, where she studied Culinary Arts. Khalidah knew she wanted to be in hospitality at a young age as she watched her father teach at The Culinary Institute of America.. Khalidah began her career working in kitchens in New York, Connecticut and Aspen including such prestigious establishments as Winvian Farms & The Little Nell.

Show More
Khalidah transitioned to front of house leadership as a Manager in Training at Calistoga Ranch, an Auberge Resort in Calistoga California. Since leaving Calistoga, Khalidah has held leadership positions at The Ritz Carlton in Lake Tahoe, Caswell Station in Charlotte NC and The Hotel Jerome in Aspen.
Khalidah is passionate about connecting with her guests and creating authentic, memorable experiences. She is excited to be settling in the beautiful mountains of Asheville with her beloved dog Onyx.

ARDELIA “DEE” ANN ROSE

Chef de Cuisine

Chef de Cuisine Ardelia “Dee” Ann Rose began her time at The Montford Rooftop Bar in June 2021. She is a Western North Carolina native with true passion for food and wine.

Show More
DeeAnn came to the Montford from The Swag, a Relais and Chateau property nestled in the heart of the Great Smokey Mountains. DeeAnn started in the fall of 2016 as the evening Sous Chef and was promoted to Chef de Cuisine in the spring of 2019.

Prior to working at The Swag, DeeAnn worked at The Wineseller, a small wine shop and bistro in downtown Waynesville where she was a waitress until the cook did not show up one night and Richard Miller handed her a legal pad of recipes and asked, “Can you do it?” thus setting off her culinary career.  Since then DeeAnn has achieved The Court of Master Sommeliers; Americas Introductory Course Examination.

DeeAnn has become very passionate about local food and partnerships with farms over the past several years working in kitchens.  DeeAnn’s Hispanic and Southern Appalachian background influences her style of cooking, which is simple but impactful in achieving her goal of providing guests with a memorable experience with a touch of southern hospitality.

NATE SNYDER

Food and Beverage Director

Nate joined the DoubleTree by Hilton in June 2022. After studying philosophy at the University of Florida Nate moved to Asheville and fell in love with the local climate, rugged mountains, and small-town charms.

Show More
Prior to joining the team in Asheville Nate worked as a chef for James Beard Award Winning chefs in Manhattan, NY, San Francisco, CA, and Louisville, KY. As a managing partner at Decca, in Louisville KY, Nate ran the restaurant’s wine and service program as well as much of the behind-the-scenes operations. He brings the same sense of ownership and focus to his leadership and work style at Double Tree Asheville and The Montford Rooftop Bar.
When not at work Nate, can be found camping in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina and enjoying the city of Asheville with his dog, Ziggy.