Kai Speth

MILWAUKEE, WI – Kai Speth is Chief Operating Officer for The Bartolotta Restaurants, the premier restaurant and catering group in the Greater Milwaukee region. As a 35-plus-year hospitality veteran with global experience leading award-winning five-star hotels and restaurants, Mr. Speth oversees the continued evolution of the current food and beverage operations within The Bartolotta Restaurants’ growing portfolio, as well as focusing on the investment of The Bartolotta team member engagement and development, guest experience and accelerating new business concepts on the near horizon.

Mr. Speth’s career journey originates from a seasoned hospitality family, and he began his career as a trained chef in his hometown of Bad Kreuznach, Germany. Prior to joining The Bartolotta Restaurants, he most recently served as Vice President of Hospitality during the pre-opening for Durango Casino & Resort in Las Vegas. He previously served as Gaw Capital’s Owner’s Representative and asset manager of their USA Hotel portfolio which comprised the Standard High Line Hotel in New York City, The Hollywood Rosevelt in Los Angeles, the Ambassador Chicago, and Hotel G in San Francisco.

In Asia, Mr. Speth was awarded Global General Manager of the Year honors for the Sofitel Legend brand launch as General Manager of Metropole Hanoi; he was then promoted to the role of Country General Manager for all Sofitel signature properties in Vietnam, overseeing the three Sofitel five-star Hotels in Vietnam. During his time at Metropole Hanoi, Mr. Speth was the recipient of numerous awards highlighting the renovation and launch of the iconic Bamboo Bar and the opening of Angelina, an Italian restaurant and club concept. The hotel was also recognized by Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure as one of the Top Hotels in the World from 2009 through 2013. Mr. Speth also served as General Manager at the Grand Hyatt Incheon in South Korea, the Park Hyatt Los Angeles, and Grand Hyatt Taipei. Additionally, he served as the Vice President of Operations and Business Performance for the Windsor Property Management Group Corporation in Ho Chi Minh City where he oversaw the award-winning Reverie Saigon, a member of The Leading Hotels Of The World.

Throughout his career, Mr. Speth has sharpened his operational expertise in culinary and front-of-house roles, at renowned Michelin-starred establishments such as Landhaus Scherrer in Hamburg, Germany, and Le Regence at the Plaza Athénée in Paris, France, among other prestigious venues. Mr. Speth also held key concept development and operations positions in food and beverage leadership roles at Grand Hyatt Bali, Grand Hyatt Seoul, The Regent Hong Kong, and New York City’s Four Seasons Hotel, Millennium Hotel, and Hotel Westbury.

During his decades of experience, Mr. Speth has collaborated with renowned architects such as Tony Chi and Super Potato in restaurant concept development. Mr. Speth holds a BA in Hotel Management and is a graduate of the International Hotel Management School in Heidelberg, Germany; and holds certifications from Trusthouse Forte Hotels in London, Hyatt Hotels, Accor Hotels, and Cornell University.

About The Bartolotta Restaurants

The Bartolotta Restaurants is a nationally recognized restaurant and catering organization co-founded by four-time nominated and two-time James Beard Award-winning Chef Paul Bartolotta and his late brother, Joe Bartolotta. Since the opening of its flagship restaurant, Ristorante Bartolotta dal 1993, The Bartolotta Restaurants group has grown to become the premier culinary brand in the Greater Milwaukee region, offering first-class service and cuisine across a portfolio of 17 one-of-a-kind restaurants and catering facilities, including fine dining, upscale casual, upscale food hall, and quick- casual concepts. More information can be found at bartolottas.com.

Media contact
pr@bartolottas.com