Chattanooga, TN (July 11, 2018) The Edwin Hotel has appointed Kevin Korman as Executive Chef of the forthcoming restaurants Whitebird and Whiskey Thief (102 Walnut Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee). The highly anticipated addition to Chattanooga’s downtown neighborhood will debut in late summer 2018.

“My food is influenced by my adopted city of Chattanooga, and will showcase the heritage and hospitality of the Tennessee River Valley,” says Kevin Korman, Executive Chef of The Edwin’s Whitebird and Whiskey Thief. “Our region is thriving with local growers and purveyors. I’m looking forward to sharing my take on elevated Southern cuisine, blending fine dining, casual cooking and modern day techniques, with our guests.”

Korman brings over 16 years of culinary experience and love of food to The Edwin. Most recently, Korman served as executive chef and owner of Roselie Dining & Seafood Bar, a modern American seafood restaurant located in Inlet Beach, Florida.

A Baltimore, Maryland native, Korman studied classic French techniques, earning a culinary degree at Baltimore International College, and began his esteemed career working under the watchful eye of Rudolph Speckamp, one of the few certified master chefs in the United States. Korman then held several positions managing and training those around him, and continued to advance his skills and techniques at award-winning restaurants and premier organizations including The Ritz Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation in Eatonton, GA, and the Lincoln Culinary Institute.

Prior to founding Roselie Dining & Seafood, Korman served as the executive chef of Santoni’s Marketplace & Catering Company, managing more than 70 employees in one of the area’s most respected kitchens, and further refined his skills overseeing multple food & beverage offerings in the luxury seaside town of Alys Beach, Florida.

“The rich identity of the region, the cultural individuality, and the connection to the modern south will influence both Whitebird and Whiskey Thief – from the design of the restaurant to the menu,” adds Greg Bradley, General Manager of The Edwin. “We are excited to introduce Kevin and his team’s cooking to visitors and locals. We are debuting a completely new dining and drinking concept in the city, while celebrating the spirit of Chattanooga.”

Korman recently relocated to Chattanooga with his family where he is embracing locally-sourced meats, produce, and products, showcasing his love of the regional cuisine throughout the Tennessee River Valley.

Whitebird will offer a main dining room, intimate bar, and private dining area, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while Whiskey Thief will offer craft cocktails and light bites as the city’s only rooftop bar.

For more information, visit www.TheEdwinHotel.com.