Benchmark Hospitality International has named Jenae Christiansen executive chef for the Gilchrist Club, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in Trenton, Florida, nears Gainesville. Bob Edwards, Benchmark’s general manager at the Club, made the announcement.
“It is such a pleasure to welcome Jenae back to the Benchmark Hospitality family, and to the Gilchrist Club,” said Mr. Edwards. “A gifted chef who is largely self-taught through unique culinary opportunities in the US and in Europe as well as a natural aptitude for the culinary arts, we look forward to her being an active part of the hospitality experience here at the Gilchrist Club.”
Jenae Christiansen previously served on several special task force assignments for Benchmark Hospitality, including working with the culinary teams at the Inn at Rancho Santa Fe near San Diego and the Gilchrist Club.
For such a young chef, Ms. Christiansen has held a number interesting culinary positions, including serving as private chef for Microsoft executives when she was based in Seattle. She has also worked as pastry chef for The Flat Iron Grill in Issaquah, Washington. Earlier in her career, Ms. Christiansen worked in the culinary department at the Woodmark Hotel in Kirkland, Washington.
Jenae Christiansen has traveled throughout Europe on educational culinary excursions, from Ireland to Italy, learning regional cooking techniques and marrying food with fine wine. She has relocated to the Trenton area.
