Patrick Willis
Patrick Willis is Chief Operating Officer of Marlon Abela Restaurant Corporation, establishing renowned restaurants in the USA and Europe. Under his leadership, MARC restaurants have been recognized by Michelin for excellence and awarded the Wine Spectator’s Grand Award yearly since 2005.
Earlier career milestones include Rosewood Hotels—as one of the youngest Corporate F&B Directors in America. Willis also worked with The Rafael group, Regent International and Oberoi Hotels and Resorts. Favorite assignments have been The Hotel Bel-Air, The Mansion on Turtle Creek, The Regent Hong Kong, The Regent New York, Rajvilas in Jaipur, The Greenhouse and Umu restaurants in London, and A Voce at Columbus Circle, New York.
Willis is European Vice president for The International Food and Beverage Forum and member of Chevaliers du Tastevin, Commandeur d’Honneur in The Commanderie du Bontemps, and other high profile associations. His numerous accolades include Restaurateur of the Year at the World Gourmet Summit and induction into the International Food and Beverage Hall of Fame as Vice President. Willis has also been a guest speaker, panelist, and juror at a number of international events and universities.
American born, Willis was educated in Germany, and has honors degrees from both The American University in Paris and Clark University.