FINE DINING RESTAURANT GROUP - Key Persons
A Cornell graduate from the San Francisco Bay Area, Bella Calderon first ventured out to Jackson Hole in August 2020, intending to stay for one ski season. Like so many before her, one ski season turned into a summer and, several years later, Bella has made her home in the valley. Initially in tech sales, Bella's passion for food and drink led her to first join the Osteria team in 2023. After a time as a host, Bella joined the main office team later that year. Bella brings enthusiasm, excitement and a unique knowledge in technology to everything she does as Marketing Manager.
A graduate of The University of Tennessee Knoxville, Britta Farren lived in Seattle prior to her time in Jackson Hole, working in restaurants and teaching environmental science on Orcas Island. Britta Farren joined the Fine Dining Restaurant Group family in 2004 as a host and office assistant at Rendezvous Bistro. As FDRG continued to grow, her role as office assistant grew, moving her into an office management role. Britta's passion for food and wine soon met with her mathematical mindset as she became director of finance and then controller. As controller, Britta oversees all the finances for FDRG.
A native of Cincinnati, OH, Chad Horton moved west after graduating from The Culinary Institute of America. He began his culinary career in Las Vegas, where he worked the pastry line at Le Cirque and Circo at the Bellaggio. In 2004, Chad joined the culinary team as pastry chef at Bradley Ogden in Caesar's Palace, during which time the restaurant was awarded the prestigious James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant of the Year. After a time in Las Vegas, Chad worked with Todd Mark Miller at Metropolitan in Salt Lake City. Chad is now Executive Pastry Chef at Fine Dining Restaurant Group, creating desserts for all FDRG properties.
Job Titles:
- Director of Cloudveil Operations
Evan Thompson has found himself in and out of hospitality his whole life. A native of Buffalo, NY and graduate of the University of Indiana, prior to joining the Fine Dining Restaurant Group family in 2020, Evan spent several years as a teacher and an international tour guide. Drawing from his previous experience and his versatility working management positions throughout Fine Dining since September 2020, Evan uses his experience in logistics, team building and leadership, to his role leading the food and beverage teams inside The Bistro and within the other private dining experiences at The Cloudveil hotel.
Gavin Fine developed a passion for the culinary world as a young boy growing up in Chicago. After working for Richard Melman's restaurant group, Lettuce Entertain You, in his home town, he followed his passion to Cornell University's Hotel and Restaurant Management School and then to Jackson Hole. While his visions of becoming a ski bum never fully materialized, Fine worked nearly every job between the front- and back-of-house, where he met his soon-to-be business partner Roger Freedman, working side-by-side in one of the area's top restaurant kitchens. Fine and Freedman forged a friendship and decided to open Rendezvous Bistro in 2001, when Fine was just 26 years old. After a number of years running Rendezvous Bistro together, they opened their second business in 2003 (Bistro Catering). Many years later, several restaurants and retail brands added to what is now Fine Dining Restaurant Group, Fine continues to be considered a premier restaurateur of the Rocky Mountain region. In addition to FDRG, Fine is also the co-owner and founder of Roadhouse Brewing Co.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Sales and Events
Jen Givens is a Jackson Hole native - born and raised in the valley. Her entry into the hospitality world began in her teens when she started working with Grand Teton Lodge Company. Jen left the valley to attend and graduate from Colorado State University. After spending some time working in Florida as a wedding and event planner, Jen found herself missing the mountains and moved back to Jackson in the summer of 2013. Upon her return, Jen worked with Jackson Hole Mountain Resort as the Group Sales and Event Manager and then became Director of Private Events and Catering with Bistro Catering in 2018. Now the Vice President of Sales and Events, Jen's thorough planning and attention to detail are evident in each project of which she is a part.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Culinary Operations
Joe West is no stranger to the culinary community, as he began working in the back-of-house when he was 16. He went on to attend culinary school at Johnson & Wales University, and most recently was the Executive Chef of 21c Museum Hotel and The Savoy Restaurant in Kansas City. Over the course of his career, Joe has worked in a variety of culinary leadership positions throughout the country, including time in James Beard and Food & Wine recognized kitchens, as well as the 2-star Michelin rated restaurant Alex at Wynn Resorts in Las Vegas. An award-winning chef himself, Joe brings his culinary creativity, experience leading teams and his approach building flavors using modern and traditional cooking techniques to his role overseeing Fine Dining's culinary operations.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Production, Bovine & Swine, Cream Sugar
Originally from Washington, Joel Tate's culinary journey began at Red Oak Grill in Jackson Hole. After spending time at Red Oak Grill and as head chef at a Jackson Hole ranch, Joel joined Fine Dining Restaurant Group in 2002, working at Rendezvous Bistro under founding executive chef Roger Freedman. With an unmistakable talent in the kitchen, Joel soon moved from sous chef to executive chef to culinary director for the entire company. Now the culinary talent behind Bovine & Swine, Joel is also the vice president of production for FDRG's retail divisions.
With over 25 years in hospitality, Jordan Holcomb joined the Fine Dining Restaurant Group team in 2022. His career began as a teen when he started working at a small restaurant in South Carolina and continued as he attended the New England Culinary Institute. A trained chef, Jordan's experience has included time spent as the Executive Chef at an Orvis Top 10 Fishing Ranch, Teton Springs Golf and Resort, B2B LLC Restaurant Group and Royal Blue Golf Course. Now an integral part of the operations team, Jordan brings vast industry knowledge and experience to his role within FDRG.
Justin Henry began his experience in the restaurant industry at the age of 15. In 2006, he moved to Jackson Hole from Athens, GA for a season before going to law school. He quickly realized restaurants were his passion and decided to shift gears to follow his passion into a career. Justin joined Fine Dining Restaurant Group as an assistant manager and was quickly promoted to a restaurant manager. After years in management, Justin moved to director of operations for FDRG, then onto COO and now President. A great supporter of staff, his goal is for every employee to enjoy what they do and want to come to work each day.
Job Titles:
- Director of Food and Beverage
Originally from Holland, MI, Kari Rak's hospitality career began at the Culinary Institute of America, where she graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Hospitality and and Associates Degree in Baking and Pastry. After graduating from CIA, Kari went on to work in front- and back-of-house operations for a variety of notable restaurants and hospitality establishments, including the 2 Michelin starred Gilt, Bouchon, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and Princi. Kari moved to Jackson Hole in 2019, during which time she focused on all aspects of on-mountain private events for Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Kari joined the Fine Dining Restaurant Group team in 2021. As the Director of Food and Beverage, Kari brings her front-, back-of-house and catering experience to leading every aspect of her role within FDRG.
Kate Fatter is a graduate of Texas A&M University. After graduating, Kate moved to France to work for a cycling company, then relocated to Jackson Hole in 2011 and began working as a trip leader for a high-end travel company. During the summer months, Kate was a leader, trainer and leadership mentor in Jackson, while the winters sent her with the company to warmer locations, including Costa Rica and Patagonia. Always working in some realm of hospitality during her professional career, after eight years in the travel industry Kate joined the Fine Dining team to lead culture initiatives.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Marketing & Communications
- Vice President of Marketing and Communications
A graduate of TCU, Kendra Alessandro moved to Jackson Hole in 2011 from Washington, DC, where she had worked in fundraising and corporate marketing for Children's National Medical Center. Upon moving to Jackson, Kendra spent time in marketing and fundraising throughout the valley. With clients extending from hospitality and retail businesses to an educational organization, Kendra left consulting and joined the FDRG team in May 2013 as Director of Communications. Now the Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Kendra oversees and manages marketing, PR and communications efforts for all FDRG businesses.
No stranger to the American West, after graduating from Arizona State University, Kevin Kunce spent time throughout Arizona, New Mexico, California and Utah before moving to Jackson Hole in 2016. A hospitality professional through and through, Kevin has worked almost every position in food and beverage, from dishwasher to sauté cook and manager to server. Prior to joining the Fine Dining family in 2021, Kevin ran the Umbrella Bar at the Canyons in Park City and was General Manager of Jedediah's at the Jackson Hole Airport. Kevin brings an action-oriented and systematic approach to leadership as he heads up operations for all Fine Dining Restaurant Group properties.
Job Titles:
- Director of Restaurant Operations
Lauren joined Fine Dining Restaurant Group in October 2022 after more than 20 years working in the food and beverage industry. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, she held multiple positions in the Yellowstone/Teton area, serving most recently as Food & Beverage Director in Yellowstone and Assistant General Manager at Jenny Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park. As the current Director of Training & Development, she is responsible for driving excellence in service, creating bench plans for manager development and training dining room managers across all Fine Dining Restaurant Group restaurants.
Megan Hopkins joined the Fine Dining Restaurant Group family upon moving to Jackson Hole in 2015. Prior to Jackson, she studied and worked for several years in Montana, first managing a restaurant, then as a records manager in the legal field. As director of accounting, Megan manages FDRG's accounts payable and food costing systems. Megan is a graduate of Montana Tech in Butte, MT.
Originally from Kansas, Michael started his career in Kansas City, developing his skills under the leadership of James Beard-nominated chef Linda Duerr. His experience working with the New England native inspired him to pursue a culinary career, which led him out west to Eaton's Ranch, the oldest dude ranch in the nation. After several years holding the position of Head Chef, he moved to Jackson in 2011 and started an 11-year stint at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. There, he worked his way up from Kitchen Manager to Resort Executive Chef. Michael joined Fine Dining Restaurant Group as Culinary Director in late 2022.
Job Titles:
- Director of Roadhouse Operations, Roadhouse Pub & Eatery Managing Partner
Originally from the Midwest, Morgan joined Fine Dining Restaurant Group in 2019 as he continued his hospitality career out west as Office Manager at Roadhouse. He went on to become Assistant Manager, splitting his time between The Kitchen and Roadhouse, and eventually became General Manager at Roadhouse in 2020. The following year, Morgan also became Managing Partner. Before moving to Wyoming, he spent seven years working at Broadway in Chicago, evolving from Concessions Manager to Events Coordinator. With an acting major from Columbia College Chicago, Morgan has a passion for leading people and building successful teams.
Natalie Hayes made the move to Jackson Hole after graduating from St. Lawrence University. Like many before her, Natalie came to Jackson for a winter and never left, quickly embracing the community and lifestyle of the area. She initially joined Fine Dining through working with Bistro Catering, while also teaching preschool and ski school, before joining the FDRG family full time in 2017 as executive assistant.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Beverage
Neil Loomis, Vice President of Beverage for Fine Dining Restaurant Group, became a sommelier in 2006. Having started his time with FDRG in 2001 as bar manager at Rendezvous Bistro, Neil quickly made his way, replacing owner Gavin Fine as the main wine buyer in 2003. He assumed his current position in 2008, overseeing all wine and beverage services for the company. Known as the Dr. Of All Things Liquid, Neil brings a great deal of passion, knowledge and dedication to the wine and beverage program at all FDRG locations.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Business Development, Bovine & Swine, Cream Sugar
Vermont native and 2008 graduate of Skidmore College, Park Dunn-Morrison, began his career with Fine Dining Restaurant Group when he joined the Q Roadhouse team in 2008. Working his way from busser to manager to overseeing operations, Park now manages new and existing business development opportunities for the company, where his expansive knowledge of hospitality and production processes serve the Cream + Sugar, Bovine & Swine teams and beyond.
A graduate of the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, Roger Freedman's culinary pursuits originally led him to Los Angeles where he became chef de cuisine at Maple Drive in Beverly Hills at the age of 21. After working at Maple Drive, Freedman moved to Jackson Hole where he became founding executive chef at the Snake River Grill that opened in 1993. Freedman led the kitchen for seven years before opening Rendezvous Bistro with business partner Gavin Fine. He has been in the restaurant business for over 30 years, has worked alongside chefs like Daniel Boulud and brings his experience and expertise to overseeing each of the Fine Dining Restaurant Group kitchens.