Hotel Embers is proud to welcome Executive Chef Jason Starnes, whose culinary career spans more than two decades and is rooted in a deep respect for local sourcing and thoughtful craftsmanship. A native of Western North Carolina, Chef Starnes returns home after leading acclaimed kitchens across the South, including The Alida Hotel and Rhett Restaurant in Savannah. His experience also includes executive leadership roles at Barnsley Resort and South City Kitchen Buckhead, earning recognition from South Magazine, Thrillist, and Zagat along the way. Chef Starnes brings a refined yet approachable style that celebrates seasonality, place, and genuine hospitality. At Hotel Embers, his vision marks an exciting new chapter for dining—one that feels both elevated and deeply connected to the Blue Ridge Mountains.