• Home
  • Operation Storyteller
  • HQ Report
  • Uncorked
  • Raise a Glass
  • Tank Talk
  • Hot off the Vine
  • Concept Focus
    • All
    • Finding Vino
    • What's at Steak?
    Bretton Lammi, Director of Beverage, Eddie Merlot’s

    Bretton Lammi, Director of Beverage, Eddie Merlot’s

    Kevin Bratt, Concept Wine Director, Joe’s Stone Crab

    Kevin Bratt, Concept Wine Director, Joe’s Stone Crab

    Fleming’s Steakhouse, When Steak Meets Wine

    Fleming’s Steakhouse, When Steak Meets Wine

    The Origins & Evolution of the American Steakhouse

    The Origins & Evolution of the American Steakhouse

    Trending Tags

    No Result
    View All Result
    • Home
    • Operation Storyteller
    • HQ Report
    • Uncorked
    • Raise a Glass
    • Tank Talk
    • Hot off the Vine
    • Concept Focus
      • All
      • Finding Vino
      • What's at Steak?
      Bretton Lammi, Director of Beverage, Eddie Merlot’s

      Bretton Lammi, Director of Beverage, Eddie Merlot’s

      Kevin Bratt, Concept Wine Director, Joe’s Stone Crab

      Kevin Bratt, Concept Wine Director, Joe’s Stone Crab

      Fleming’s Steakhouse, When Steak Meets Wine

      Fleming’s Steakhouse, When Steak Meets Wine

      The Origins & Evolution of the American Steakhouse

      The Origins & Evolution of the American Steakhouse

      Trending Tags

      No Result
      View All Result
      The Mark Wine News
      No Result
      View All Result

      Brian Loughnane, Director of Food & Beverage, Hyatt

      by Lisa Gmur, CSW
      March 31, 2020
      in Uncorked

      Brian Loughnane, Hyatt Corporate Director of Food & Beverage

      Brian Loughnane, Corporate Director of Food & Beverage, grew up in Galway, Ireland. “My dad was a butcher and farmer and operated our family shop, which celebrated 80 years in business last year. It was opened by my grandfather in 1939 and is currently run by my older brother,” says Loughnane who also has an older sister. “My Mum was a teacher of home economics and also the caterer and chef for the family business,” he adds.

      The whole family farm, butcher, and chef thing meant Loughnane ate very well as a child. “I was a total “foodie” from a young age. I loved to explore and try new foods whenever the opportunity was available. I had the motto that I would try everything at least once and that has continued with me on my culinary adventures through life,” he adds. “I would have loved to have been a chef, but I found out I am better on the other side of the pass than behind.”

      Entrance to the founding Park Hyatt hotel in Chicago

      However, Loughnane did work in the family business growing up. “I worked for my family during school in the butcher shop and in local bars and restaurants. My first job after collage was with Hyatt in Columbus, Ohio.” And he has been with them ever since. “I have been with the company for 17 years and have worked all over the world,” he adds. And in some pretty cool places. “I am fortunate enough to have worked for Hyatt in Ohio, Hawaii, Australia, Egypt, Istanbul, and California, all of which created lasting friendships and memories.”His new gig as Corporate Director of Food & Beverage is based in Chicago where he lives with his wife and two young daughters. “When the opportunity became available, I jumped at the chance to take on the role.” It was one of those dreams come true. The only thing missing is room for the four-legged kids he was raised with. “Growing up, we had several Bernese Mountain dogs. I am looking forward to living in a future location with the required space to have another.”Loughnane studied International Hotel Management at Shannon College of Hotel Management in County Clare, not far from the family homestead.“During an internship from college, I worked in Switzerland for a year and was fortunate to work closely with the maître d’hôtel, sommelier and our key suppliers. It was a life changing experience that opened me up to the world of wine and provided life long memories through wine including the opportunity to attend the Fête Des Vignerons, one of the world’s oldest wine festivals that happens only once in a generation.”

      The most recent celebration of the Fête des Vignerons was last summer. It is unique in the world and takes place in Vevey, the town situated at the heart of the viticultural region Lavaux in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland.

      And it was that experience that really kicked off Loughnane’s adventures with wine. “Currently I find myself exploring more Spanish varietals. While based in Australia, I lived close to Margaret River and spent as much time as I could in the region and have delighted in seeing it grow into the destination it has become today.” Right now, there are two places high on the bucket list. “Japan and New Zealand are two countries that I have been looking forward to exploring in the future.” However, there is one place that will always be number one. “I go home to Ireland as often as time allows,” he says. “I am living the dream and feel very fortunate for the opportunities and experiences life has provided,” he adds. One thing has so far been out of reach. “Getting drafted and being called up to the Olympic Squad might be a bit of stretch at this stage but fingers are still crossed,” he adds with a smile about a lifelong dream. As for the ubiquitous food and wine pairing: “House made Irish Black Pudding from my family’s butcher shop paired with a 2010 Fleurie from Beaujolais.” And who are we to argue with that. Loughnane is also pretty into the whole wine themed cocktail scene. “It is great to see wine to grow as a lead ingredient on cocktail lists and I recently enjoyed a sparkling creation topped with Rosa Tequila that was memorable.” But his customary drink? “A Whisky Sour or Old Fashioned (Muddled) would be my go-to,” he adds.When not on the job, life is pretty low key. “Time with family and friends, golfing and anything sports related.” And the rest of the bucket list? “Time is my biggest challenge and the list is too long and extensive to share but I look forward to ticking the items off over time!”

      And by the way “Happy Out” (the title of this piece) is one of those “out of the box” charming Irish sayings. It means “content in your current surroundings.” And for now, Brian Loughnane is definitely that.

      Tags: Volume 10.1

      Related Posts

      delta sky club logo
      Uncorked

      René Van Camp Director Delta Sky Club

      January 13, 2021
      Andrea Cornwell, Director of Beverage, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants
      Uncorked

      Andrea Cornwell, Director of Beverage, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants

      July 10, 2020
      Carson Gray, Director of Adult Beverage & Concept Development, HMSHost
      Uncorked

      Carson Gray, Director of Adult Beverage & Concept Development, HMSHost

      December 21, 2019
      Next Post
      The HQ Report For Spring 2020

      The HQ Report For Spring 2020

      Saluti! A Toast To Freixenet Mionetto USA

      Saluti! A Toast To Freixenet Mionetto USA

      The Bear and Star Pinot Noir

      The Bear and Star Pinot Noir

      Categories

      • Finding Vino
      • Hot off the Vine
      • Hot Press
      • HQ Report
      • Operation Storyteller
      • Raise a Glass
      • Tank Talk
      • Uncorked
      • What's at Steak?

      Topics

      Hot off the Vine HQ Report Operation Storyteller Raise a Glass Roots Run Deep Uncorked Volume 9.2 Volume 9.3 Volume 9.4 Volume 10.1 Volume 10.2 Volume 10.3 Volume 11.1
      The Mark Wine News

      A quarterly news magazine that brings you coast-to-coast coverage of everything wine. The “go-to” magazine for wine industry shakers, movers and go-getters…

      LEARN MORE »

      Recent Posts
      • Roots Run Deep Winery Equal Parts Arts & Science January 21, 2021
      • Digging Into the Future of Roots Run Deep Winery January 20, 2021
      • René Van Camp Director Delta Sky Club January 13, 2021
      Categories
      • Finding Vino
      • Hot off the Vine
      • Hot Press
      • HQ Report
      • Operation Storyteller
      • Raise a Glass
      • Tank Talk
      • Uncorked
      • What's at Steak?
      [mc4wp_form]

      © 2020 The Mark Wine News

      No Result
      View All Result
      • Home
      • Operation Storyteller
      • HQ Report
      • Uncorked
      • Raise a Glass
      • Tank Talk
      • Hot off the Vine
      • Concept Focus

      © 2020 The Mark Wine Group - The "go-to" magazine for wine industry shakers, movers and go-getters...