Executive Movements — March 2010
Effective March 1, 2010, Kevin Toomy will assume the role of President and Chief Operating Officer of Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Samuel Tancredi will serve as President and Chief Operating Officer of Mitchell’s Fish Market. 
SAN ANTONIO — DAVID KELLAWAY has been named managing director of THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA’s third campus, in San Antonio. A certified master chef and Texas native, Kellaway previously taught at the CIA’s Hyde Park, N.Y., campus, but for the past 15 years has worked at various operations in Las Vegas, including the Mirage and Mandalay Bay. In addition, SHELLEY GRIESHABER has been promoted from director of education at the school to the newly created position of director of culinary operations.
NAPA, Calif. — AARON LONDON has been promoted from executive sous chef to chef de cuisine of vegetarian restaurant UBUNTU here, following the departure of chef-partner JEREMY FOX. London was one of the opening cooks at the restaurant. Previously, London has worked at Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills, N.Y.; Daniel in New York; Restaurant au Pied de Cochon in Montreal; and L’Astrance in Paris.
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — SCOTT BARNETT, founding president and chief executive officer of the BUBBA GUMP SHRIMP CO. RESTAURANTS INC., announced late Wednesday he is stepping down, saying simply that “it was time.” Barnett has been with the San Clemente, Calif.-based company since 1996, when the first unit opened of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., a casual-dining concept based on the hit movie “Forrest Gump.” Now with 22 domestic locations and 13 overseas, the company also includes three locations of The Mai Tai Bar nightclubs, and one-offs Capi’s Italian Kitchen in Chicago and The Newport Beach Rusty Pelican. Barnett gave no reason for his resignation, other than to say, “I’ve been at this a very long time and I’m still relatively young, and it was time.” Company officials said Barnett’s duties would be transitioned in coming weeks to vice presidents TIM BUSALD and GAIL TAGGART.
CALABASAS HILLS, Calif. — THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY INC. named MICHAEL JANNINI president and announced two other key executive appointments Wednesday. DAVID GORDON was promoted to the position of chief operating officer, and DINA BARMASSE-GRAY to the role of senior vice president of human resources. Jannini was previously executive vice president and general manager of global brand strategy and innovation for Marriott International Inc. Gordon, a 17-year Cheesecake Factory veteran, was previously senior vice president of operations for The Cheesecake Factory brand restaurants. In his new role, he will also lead operations for Grand Lux Cafe. Barmasse-Gray, who joined the company three years ago as vice president of talent, now heads all human resources functions.
ATLANTA – GANDOLFO’S NEW YORK DELICATESSEN has named as chief operating offi cer Seth Salzman, a founding partner and former executive of MOE’S SOUTHWEST GRILL and then-parent RAVING BRANDS. The 45-unit Atlanta-based deli concept said Salzman will help the franchised Gandolfo’s step up its national expansion push.
OCONOMOWOC,Wis. — THOMAS HESTER III has been promoted to president and chief operating officer of ROCKY ROCOCO PIZZA AND PASTA, taking the position formerly held by his father, THOMAS HESTER, in the family-run company. Rocky Rococo owns the 39-unit casual-dining chain and is set to open its 40th unit at the Southridge Mall in Greendale, Wis., later this year. Hester, a certified public accountant, joined Rocky Rococo’s in 1994 and most recently was the company’s vice-president. In 2008 Hester served as chairman of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
CARROLLTON, Texas – T.G.I. FRIDAY’S has appointed IAN SAUNDERS to the new post of president and chief operating officer of its international division. Saunders most recently worked for PAPA JOHN’S INTERNATIONAL INC. as its regional vice president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Currently, 325 of Friday’s 917 restaurants are international locations, a spokesman said. Saunders’ “successful track record of driving and sustaining aggressive business growth in the global marketplace” makes him “the ideal candidate for this key role in our business,” said NICK SHEPHERD, president and chief executive of Friday’s parent company, CARLSON RESTAURANTS WORLDWIDE. CRW operates, franchises or licenses more than 1,000 restaurants in 60 countries. Among other jobs, Saunders previously held various leadership roles at YUM! BRANDS INC.