Michael KelleyThe Hotel at Kirkwood Center is pleased to announce Michael Kelley as Chef de cuisine. For Chef Kelley, food was a passion long before it became a career. More than two decades ago, Kelley decided that when he retired from the U.S. Army he would pursue his interest in cooking. After 20 years of service, Kelley entered the Kirkwood Hospitality Arts program. Following his graduation from the program in 2012, he joined the purchasing department at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, and then moved into a banquet cook role. Soon after he was promoted to banquet lead cook and now is named as Chef de cuisine of The Class Act Restaurant. For Kelley, the ability to train, mentor and grow along with the students is what drives his work at The Hotel at Kirkwood. "The attention to detail and dedication to excellence is what really sets The Hotel at Kirkwood Center apart," said Kelley.