CHARLESTON, SC –  Hotel Bennett has appointed Robert McGrattan as its new executive chef. The North Carolina native returns to the Carolinas with a focus on continuing to elevate the dining experience at Gabrielle, the hotel’s signature restaurant.

Hotel Bennett was recently ranked as the top luxury hotel in the country by readers of USA TODAY, while Gabrielle is Charleston’s only restaurant to open onto Marion Square and features the city’s largest outdoor fine-dining plaza. It can be accessed through the park or via Hotel Bennett.

McGrattan’s extensive culinary experience spans a 16-year career at some of the most celebrated kitchens and hotels in the country, including his most recent role as Executive Chef at The Sagamore Pendry Baltimore. During his time at Pendry, he elevated the culinary experience at the hotel’s multiple dining venues, including the Rec Pier Chophouse and The Cannon Room. McGrattan previously served as Executive Sous Chef at the legendary Peabody Memphis where the fine dining restaurant Chez Philippe achieved a coveted Forbes Four-Star rating. He also redesigned the kitchen and menu at Capriccio Grill, the hotel’s renowned steakhouse.

“I am a firm believer that food transcends everything in life,” said McGrattan. “I put my soul into my cooking to enrich the lives of others, and am looking forward to sharing my cuisine and philosophy with Charlestonians, while also recognizing the city’s celebrated culinary heritage.”

An Asheville, NC, native, McGrattan developed an appreciation for diverse techniques through his culinary arts education at Johnson & Wales in Charlotte. He honed his craft at Hutton Hotel in Nashville, holding sous chef and chef de cuisine positions, and has also received several honors including a James Beard Foundation invitation for menu development. He also had the opportunity to oversee the annual James Beard Foundation dinner.

“We are thrilled that Chef Robert has joined our team,” said Marty Wall, General Manager of Hotel Bennett. “He is extremely talented, as well as an inspirational leader. His passion, dedication and drive have already made him a standout member of the culinary industry.”

Working in tandem with acclaimed Pastry Chef Remy Fünfrock, McGrattan has already developed Gabrielle’s fall menu which explores the pathways of the south’s fresh bounty.

 Some of the new and seasonal additions include:

• Tuna Carpaccio with Orange Vinaigrette, Jalapeno and Sesame
• Roasted Bone Marrow with Shallot Jam, Oregano Crust and Baguette
• Butternut Squash Soup with Sage, Pumpkin Seed and Crème Fraiche
• Kurobuta Pork Chop with Apples, Mustard Seeds and Barrel-aged Maple
• Shrimp & Grits with Caramelized Onions, Lamb Merguez Sausage and Marsh Hen Mill Grits
• Grilled Bone-in Short Rib with Bordeaux Reduction, Chanterelles and Oreganato
• 16oz Boneless Ribeye with numerous table side options, including Cast-Iron Corn Bread, Sorghum Butter and Lardo

In addition to its sweeping outdoor dining terrace, Gabrielle’s interiors marry traditional Charleston architectural details with modern interpretations of wing chairs and Chesterfield sofas. The elegant and lively bar features accents of antique mirror in its beams and columns, along with a white marble bar top, making it a perfect perch to observe the activity in Hotel Bennett’s bustling lobby and in Marion Square. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the restaurant’s two-story design carefully combines European inspiration with Southern sensibilities – including built-in sofas with traditional corner pillows – and a private dining room for special events. Furnishings are highlighted by a floor-to-ceiling wine display, traditional chairs upholstered in brown leather and dining tables banded in bronze. 

For more information on Gabrielle, visit www.GabrielleDining.com, call 843-990-5460 or follow @GabrielleDining on Facebook and Instagram. For more information on Hotel Bennett, visit www.HotelBennett.com, call 843-203-0922 or follow @HotelBennett on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

About Hotel Bennett

Hotel Bennett, the South’s grandest new hotel, overlooks the iconic and historic Marion Square in Downtown Charleston. Centrally located to all of the culture, cuisine, and charm Charleston has to offer, Hotel Bennett seamlessly blends unparalleled luxury, an unmatched setting, and the high level of gracious hospitality for which Charleston is renowned. A distinct experience unique to the city, Hotel Bennett carefully combines European architectural inspiration married with classic Southern furnishings and details throughout. Named for the Charleston-based Bennett family, Hotel Bennett is owned by local hotelier and businessman Michael Bennett. The property is managed in a collaborative partnership with world-renowned Salamander Hotels & Resorts, the luxury hotel company founded by Sheila Johnson. www.hotelbennett.com