With more than 28 years of restaurant and hospitality experience, John Metz knows what it takes to create, run and maintain a successful restaurant company and has done just that for the past 13 years with his many culinary ventures in the Atlanta area. As Executive chef and co-owner of Marlow’s Tavern, Aqua Blue, and Hi Life Kitchen and Cocktails, John is thrilling residents in the Atlanta area with cuisine that inspires and entraps even the hardest to please

Metz brings this knowledge and flavor to the menu of Marlow’s Tavern. Trained by the best he began his education at one of the top learning institutions in the country, The Pennsylvania State University, where he received his bachelors degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management. He then went on to pursue his culinary education by obtaining a degree from the distinguished Culinary Institute of America where he graduated at the top of his class

Metz began his laudable career at some of the finest restaurants in New York City including The 21 Club, Tribeca Grill, Park Avenue Café, Montrachet and Della Famina’s in East Hampton. In addition, Metz served as executive chef and executive director of research and development for Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, the franchisor for T.G.I. Friday’s, where he helped develop the brands of Italianni’s, Front Row Sports Grill and Samba Room. In addition he headed up the research and development for Carlson’s international restaurant and business division opening restaurants in 10 countries around the world.

In 1997, Metz and partner Thomas DiGiorgio started their business with the creation of Hi Life kitchen & cocktails in Norcross. “Hi Life put our company on the map at a time when the trends we started there were not as developed as they are today,” says Metz. Metz & DiGiorgio co-founded and operate an upscale contract foodservice company, Sterling Spoon Fresh Culinary Management, which specializes in on-site restaurant management. Sterling Spoon offers a unique corporate dining alternative to the on-premise business cafeterias of the past by creating a full service restaurant environment inside each of the cafes it operates, adding a chef-driven culinary flair to ensure the highest quality flavor and presentation in the Atlanta area.

Metz is very involved in the industry and communities in which he operates his businesses. He serves on numerous local and national boards as well as many local charity organizations. He is on the National Restaurant Association’s and Georgia Restaurant Association’s Boards of Directors, The Atlanta Visitors and Convention Bureau’s Board and was appointed as Vice Chairman 2005 for the Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRoNA). Where he became the 2007 and 2008 Chairman of the Board for DiRōNA. In addition, he is actively involved with the Special Olympics of Georgia and Share our Strength organizations. Sterling Hospitality has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for these and other local community organizations.

As creator, designer and partner behind Marlow's Tavern in Alpharetta, Aqua Blue in Roswell, GA, and Hi Life Kitchen and Cocktails in Norcross, GA, Thomas DiGiorgio, along with John C. Metz Jr., has made a mark in the culinary scene. DiGiorgio and Metz plan on opening a fourth venture in February 2005.

DiGiorgio is the president of the award winning DK Group, a diversified holding company with current interests in construction, architecture, real estate development and film production. Based in Pompano Beach, FL the DK Group's current client list includes Brinker International, Darden, Marriot and McDonald's. DiGiorgio's full commitment to providing superior service to his clients has helped make him a powerhouse in the development of commercial and residential real estate projects as well as an infuential member of the Georgia restaurant scene.

Rivera’s company, Rubicon Enterprises LLC, is a restaurant development company based in Sarasota, Florida. The company is involved in a number of operating ventures, including Corner Bar Partners, LLC and Metz Enterprises, both of which are involved in the development and operation of casual dining restaurants (Marlow’s Tavern and TGI Friday’s, respectively).

He began his career of more than 30 years in the restaurant industry with Steak and Ale Restaurants of America. He has held executive positions with a number of leading restaurant companies, including Darden Restaurants; RARE Hospitality International, Inc.; TGI Friday’s, Inc.; Applebee’s; and El Chico Corp.

Rivera’s achievements have been recognized by numerous industry awards, including the “Golden Chain” award from Nation’s Restaurant News, and the “Restaurant Business Leadership Award.” He was also honored as one of the top restaurant operators in the U.S. with the prestigious Silver Plate award from the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association. Women’s Foodservice Forum awarded Rivera its Trailblazer Award for his commitment to the diversity of cultures, perspectives, attitudes and ideas in the workplace. In May of 2007, he was elected Chairman of the National Restaurant Association .

Mr. Rivera is past chairman and a member of the Executive Committee of the Florida Citrus Sports Association, a community-based charitable organization that sponsors, among other events, the annual Champs Sports and Capital One Bowls in Orlando, and he is active in the World President’s Organization. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee University, and an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration from Johnson & Wales University.

An enthusiastic leader who thrives on interacting with a range of personalities, Hank Clark has worked in the restaurant industry for 16 years. Since 2002, he has served as the Operations Partner for Aqua Blue and Hi Life Kitchen and Cocktails in addition to Marlow’s Tavern, which is undergoing a remarkable regional expansion plan. Clark strives to exceed not only his guests’ expectations but his employees’ anticipations, as well.

Clark studied Business Administration at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla., where he also played college baseball for the Titans. The knowledge, dedication and skill he obtained in school gave way to Clark’s flourishing career in the restaurant management field.

From 1990 to 1995, Clark worked for Brinker International in the Grady’s division and was promoted to general manager at age 23. He also served as general manager at Darden Restaurants in the Bahama Breeze division and at Clubhouse International. Teaming up with John Metz, chef and co-owner of , Aqua Blue and Hi Life, Clark has worked with the three restaurants since 2002.

Clark, a native of South Georgia, returned to Atlanta in 1995 from the Tampa market. He now lives in Alpharetta with his wife and five children. When away from work, Clark enjoys spending time with his family, taking wonderful vacations and golfing with friends.