John Brand has been appointed as Vice President of Culinary at Hotel Emma
Hotel Emma, a Michelin Two-Key Hotel and AAA Five-Diamond property, today announced the appointment of Chef John Brand as Vice President of Culinary, effective Monday, January 26. In this role, Brand will lead the culinary vision and hospitality strategy across restaurant, bar, and event operations within Emma Hospitality Group (EHG), including Supper, Sternewirth, Larder, and future concepts.
A respected leader in San Antonio's hospitality community, Brand brings a deep, longstanding connection to Hotel Emma, Pearl, and South Texas' rich agricultural heritage. He was instrumental in shaping Hotel Emma's culinary foundation as part of its opening team in 2015 as Chef and Culinary Director where he helped to establish the property's reputation for thoughtful, destination-defining food and hospitality rooted in a deep respect for regional provenance. In the years since, Brand has continued to influence Pearl's growth, most recently as Director of Culinary Endeavors at Potluck, where he has worked to elevate the neighborhood into a nationally recognized gastronomy hub through chef-driven, highly differentiated concepts.
Brand will guide the continued evolution of Hotel Emma's culinary programming, centering on Supper's reintroduction as a cornerstone of the Pearl experience, grounded in seasonality, local partnerships, and a deep sense of place, while remaining seamlessly connected to the Hotel Emma guest journey. Beyond the dining room, Brand's leadership will extend to the heart of the kitchen, where he will focus on supporting and mentoring the next generation of talent and cultivating a culture of collaboration and craft.
To learn more about Hotel Emma, visit thehotelemma.com.