Continuing its focus on assembling a powerhouse executive team, Hilton New Orleans Riverside announces the appointments of Randy Piebes as the new director of food and beverage for the 1,622-room property. Piebes joins the hotel’s new Executive Chef Mark Quitney in leading food and beverage services and building on the success of the hotel’s meetings and events program.Ê
As director of food and beverage, Piebes will manage the food and beverage program for the property as well as banquet and catering for more than 130,000 square feet of meetings and event space. Prior to joining Hilton New Orleans Riverside, Piebes spent four years with Capital Hilton in Washington D.C., where he held the role of director of food and beverage and was critical to the success of the brand’s most important event, The Hilton Senior Leaders Group in 2016. His prior experience with Hilton includes Washington Hilton and serving on the opening teams of Hilton Baltimore and Hilton Orlando.
ÒWith 13 years of experience with Hilton hotels under his belt, Randy brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the hospitality industry,Ó said David Piscola, general manager at Hilton New Orleans Riverside. ÒHe will be an instrumental piece in the continued elevation of our food and beverage experience and service delivery for our guests.Ó
The addition of Piebes to the team is the latest in a series of updates to Hilton New Orleans Riverside’s food & beverage and catering & events efforts.Ê Under the helm of Executive Chef Mark Quitney and in celebration of New Orleans’ Tricentennial anniversary this year, the hotel recently launched exclusive catering menus that highlight New Orleans staples from the past 300 years, with dishes ranging from gumbo and beignets from the 1700s to charbroiled oysters and Partag cocktail from the 2000s, among others.
Renowned for executing seamless conventions and corporate meetings, high-profile events and more, the property also recently completed a $6 million renovation to the Grand Ballroom and two floors of meeting spaces, including the conversion of the executive lounge hidden on the 29th floor into the luxurious Lagniappe 29 space, an intimate setting accommodating up to 60 people and boasting floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the New Orleans cityscape. Catering to authentic and interactive experiences, the hotel offers interactive group classes including beignet making and mixology, along with charbroiled oyster experiences.
Hilton New Orleans Riverside is popular with savvy international and domestic travellers and features an indoor connection to The Riverwalk Outlet Mall with more than 75 retailers and restaurants. The hotel boasts authentic dishes at Drago’s Seafood Restaurant, craft cocktails and live music at Public Belt bar and lounge, two outdoor pools and a 100,000-square-foot health and fitness centre with tennis, basketball, and racquetball courts.