Residents and guests in Tellico Village will see a change in their dining experience beginning in the new year.
The Tellico Village Property Owner Association announced late last month the decision to part ways with AWE Hospitality and bring all food service management in-house.
A food service search committee comprised of Chief Operating Officer Mitzi Lane, POA Board Member John Orr, POA Purchasing Manager Jeff Digulla and Finance Advisory Committee Member Mike Braddock was tasked with sending out and evaluating requests for proposals from interested food service management vendors.
Out of seven packages sent to potential vendors, three were returned for consideration.
The POA goal was to improve finances, take back control of facilities, improve food and service quality and have the same management approach across all dining facilities.
Orr said he campaigned for improved food service when he ran for the POA board last year. He said for years he has heard grumblings about certain aspects of food service in Tellico Village.
“So far, almost all the feedback has been positive,” Orr said. “In fact, we had a rare occurrence when we made the announcement in the board meeting we actually got a round of applause, and that never happens.”
Orr said some residents expressed dissatisfaction with the current vendor, AWE Hospitality, while others said they loved everything about the food service experience. However, he said control and money really drove the change.
The POA decided years ago that AWE would rent the facilities and be in charge of most of the maintenance connected to service and experience. AWE also received profits from the restaurants.
With the population of Tellico Village increasing, the board decided to take total control of facilities in hopes of improving the quality of service, food and atmosphere, Orr said.
The decision also means all profits are kept by the POA.
While there was a conscious determination not to alter anything on the first day the POA takes over Jan. 1, there will be significant changes throughout the next year and beyond, Orr said, adding that he anticipates menu and decor changes.
“We’ve got a laundry list of ideas that not only the committee came up with but residents now are sending in their suggestions,” he said. “There’s a lot of people who are pretty fired up about it.”
The board has set up a Food Advisory Committee made up of Tellico Village residents to filter feedback. Skylar McClurkin, who has 23 years of experience in food service and has been the manager of the restaurants for AWE for more than seven years, was hired as food service director.
Orr said every AWE employee will be able to keep their positions under the new management.
“We will be offering them all positions when we make this switchover to come on to our payroll,” Orr said. “Quite frankly, AWE doesn’t have any place else to employ them. They were all hired specifically for these restaurants, and many of them have been here for quite a while, even predating AWE.”
The board expects the change to positively impact food service across all restaurants and hopes residents appreciate having a voice in decision-making, he said.
Under the leadership of Owner Andy Fox, AWE Hospitality has overseen food and dining at Tanasi Bar & Grill, Toqua Sports Bar & Grill, Kahite Pub & Grill and the Yacht Club.
Fox said he has worked with the POA for 12 years and hoped to continue the partnership when the request for proposals was sent out. Fox said he didn’t find out a change was happening until the day before the vote was presented to the public.
“It was strictly a financial decision,” Fox said. “The POA believes that they will make a bunch of money running it themselves.”
Although AWE owns and consults with other restaurants in the area, a long-term partnership doesn’t end without some discomfort.
“I am certainly disappointed as I feel it has been a great partnership that we have formed over a decade,” Fox said. “But I am not surprised as the board has mainly focused on financials for a few years now and they believe this is in their best interests.
“I will miss the POA management camaraderie as well as many of the residents, although most of the relationships that I have built over the years should stay intact,” he added.
