Welcome from the Producer of the Hilton Head Island
Wine & Food Festival (HHIWF)

We’ve spent a quarter of a century promoting Hilton Head Island as a wine and food destination and in 2010 we celebrate our silver anniversary by recognizing the fortitude and leadership of the those that lay the foundation for what we know today as the Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival. While we raise our glasses to toast the “founders” we also applaud the accomplishment of the event’s next generation leadership to showcase the island’s premier culinary event as a destination draw for visitors and guests each spring. Needless to say, this event happens because of the unfailing support of a large group of volunteers and the commitment of the island’s hospitality industry. Their willingness to serve unconditionally, to give time abundantly, to shift gears constantly and to keep their eyes on the big picture makes the peaks and valleys of event production a worthwhile endeavor.

The community of Hilton Head Island represents a generous and spirited lifestyle that we all invite you to consider annually as a resident or periodically as a visitor. If you are visiting Hilton Head Island for the first time I extend a hearty Lowcountry “Welcome” to a smorgasbord of dining pleasure and to those returning for their 25th year “Thank you and Welcome Back!”

Cheers!

Producer/Ann-Marie Adams
Ann-Marie Adams has served as the executive director for the Hilton Head Hospitality Association since 2006. Her leadership for the Association meshes a passion for the food and beverage industry, a professional background in public affairs and a staunch belief in the power of building communities through a creative industry. Prior to her arrival at the Association she served as the Director of Public Relations for the Technical College of the Lowcountry. She is a graduate of the Beaufort Leadership Program and serves on the Board of Directors for the South Carolina Festival and Events Association. Before relocating to the Lowcountry in 2003, she served as the director of public relations for Cornell Cooperative Extension in New York State and as a lobbyist for Cornell University’s Office of Government Affairs respectfully. As well, she fulfilled an appointment with the United States Department of Agriculture in the Cooperative States, Research, Education, and Extension Service. She is a frequent workshop presenter, and has taught several courses that focus on the study of communication skills used in government, business and other professional settings.

HHIWF Executive Leadership Team

Food Events/Russell Keane
Born in Germany, Chef Russell Keane has lived in various regions of the United States like many military families. He attributes his mother’s desire to keep him out of trouble as the catalyst for his culinary career. You see, his mother, a restaurant group accountant, placed her 13-year-old son Russell to work in a restaurant where mischief was not on the menu. At 19 Keane joined the Navy, serving during the First Gulf War and stationed in Charleston. His culinary education includes earning a culinary degree from Johnson & Wales with training transpiring at Bodean Seafood and mentorship with Chef Michael Fusco. Chef Keane’s culinary style emphasizes his adventurous and entertaining spirit and passion for fresh, premium ingredients. His creative and rewarding presentations reflect his ability to capture an ingredient’s best attributes and deliver a unique, yet satisfying dining experience. Prior to his arrival at Wise Guys with the Southeast Restaurant Group Chef Keane was the Food & Beverage Director for Fripp Island. Chef Keane is also active in theLowcountry Chapter of the American Culinary Federation (ACF).

International Wine Judging & Competition/Jeff Gerber
Jeff Gerber serves as the Assistant General Manager at Aqua Grille and Lounge and has managed the wine and spirits since the restaurant opened in 2006. He has worked in the food and beverage industry since 1989, graduated from the University of Oregon in 1992 and is proud to have served in the US Army infantry prior to his hospitality career in F&B. His interest in wine developed in observing a mentor at Charley’s Crab on Hilton Head and if permitted can engage anyone in a lengthy discussion about public wine consumption since the 1970’s. He attended and completed an Oregon “Pinot Camp” in 2006 and would indicate that he has a particular passion for Pinot Noir. He has a long history as a back room volunteer and in 2010 takes over the role as Team Leader working with the Wine Panels and a new Head Judge to liaison each operational component of the International Judging and Competition.

Public Tasting/Liz Wilson
Liz Wilson currently serves as Director of Career and Disability Services at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. In this role she works with many hotels, restaurants, and other tourism entities in the Lowcountry area placing USCB students into internships or jobs. She earned a B.A. in English and a M.A.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Virginia Tech. Originally from the Northern Virginia area, she now resides in Bluffton with her husband Danny. She has served on the Steering Committee for the Hilton Head Wine and Food Fest since fall 2007.

Industry Activities/Tally Lauderdale
Talley Lauderdale grew up here on Hilton Head Island. She attended the University of South Carolina, Columbia with a focus on Public Relations. She joined ResortQuest in 2005 as the Group Sales Coordinator then moved into a Revenue Coordinator position. She now currently serves as the Operations Manager for ResortQuest overseeing Reservations and Front Desk. She looks forward to contributing her efforts to the Bartender Challenge and the Hospitable Waiters Race.

Public Relations/Promotion/Ellen Lam
Ellen Lam is currently the Marketing Manager of Fun at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa. Originally from New York City, she graduated from the University at Buffalo, New York with a degree in Business Administration with concentrations on Marketing and Human Resources. While in Buffalo, she started her marketing career at a marketing and events promotion agency and then moved on to marketing for a local family owned appliance parts distributor. A position with a new marketing and events promotion agency brought Ellen back to New York City, where she was the Marketing Manager for the New York market. In 2006, Ellen moved away from the city life to the Lowcountry and was introduced to the hotel industry as Marketing Coordinator for the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa. In her free time, Ellen enjoys the beach, boating and biking.

Wine Centered Women/Jill Boyd
Jill Boyd has loved the restaurant business since she began waiting tables at the age of 16 in the Philadelphia suburbs. After attending college at Kutztown University, she knew her career path was in the excitement of the food and beverage industry. After working many years in Philadelphia restaurants and gaining knowledge in all facets of the industry from bussing tables to bartending, she was ready to make the transition to restaurant owner. A wonderful opportunity led her to Hilton Head to join her family in opening Michael Anthony’s Cucina Italiana in 2002 and the excitement has never stopped. Since opening Michael Anthony’s, Jill has found her true passion in the wine aspect of the business – from tasting and selecting wines for their award-winning wine list to the pairing of wines with food for the countless wine dinners and tastings hosted by the restaurant. Although Jill is a co-owner of an Italian Restaurant, she has a California palette and is in a continuous search for the perfect California wine.

HHIWF Steering Committee Members

HILTON HEAD HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION
2009-2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS