Driftwood Hospitality is Ohio’s premier restaurant and catering company. The five award-winning restaurants, concessions and catering services, staffed by experienced and talented individuals, have helped set the bar for excellence and consistency in the culinary arts landscape of Cleveland.
THE DRIFTWOOD TEAM
SCOTT DAVID KUHN
CEO + FOUNDER
What is he hungry for?
The hospitality biz. Scott mixed culinary skills with a brave soul, and a lifetime of restaurant, catering and consulting experiences to open 10 successful establishments in 23 years and consult with numerous others. He also craves ice cream, fishing, golf, and honestly, a Popeye’s crispy chicken sandwich to-go.
What keeps him full?
Any opportunity to bring great food to the people of Cleveland; road trips with his family; and working with charities that help children and those in need.
A few more bites:
Scott loves spending time outdoors fishing and hunting, the smell of freshly baked bread and the sound of a putt hitting the bottom of the cup.
CHRIS HODGSON
PRESIDENT
What’s he hungry for?
Opportunities to put his Le Cordon Blue-degree-meets-Food-Network-experiences to work bringing amazing food and hospitality to as many people as possible. Chris also can’t resist crispy garlic fries dipped in way too much mayo and ketchup, and warm, toasted, crunchy peanut butter and grape jelly sandwiches.
What keeps him full?
The rush of working in this industry; family hikes, food truck culture, his kids’ lacrosse games; and his compassion for helping those in need.
One more bite:
Best Chef advice? “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.”
KRIS BOYD
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
What is he hungry for?
Creating memorable experiences for everyone possible, including guests, friends and family for another 30 yrs. A medium rare steak smothered in blue cheese or a chicken Parmigiano with Bolognese.
What keeps him full?
Knowing I have a great team behind me, that wants our company to thrive as much as I do. A loving wife and incredible family to go home to everyday.
A few more bites:
Kris is an avid Cleveland sports fan and loves billiards, golf and darts.
TIM PURSIFULL
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, LANDERHAVEN
What is he hungry for?
The opportunity to create special moments in the lives of guests, family, and fellow employees. Providing direction and assistance to all involved, that help to execute a shared vision of success.
What keeps him full?
His work, his family, and the opportunity to teach and learn in every situation. Challenging the normal paradigm to expand the definition of excellence.
A few more bites
I have learned more in the kitchens of my family than in any classroom. The hopes and dreams of a people are produced and consumed daily at the dinner table.
ERIK MARTINEZ
DIRECTOR CULINARY EXPERIENCES
What’s he hungry for?
The daily adventures of spending 28 years in the restaurant industry as a chef and in every restaurant job imaginable; Yakitori, any cut, with salt; and the scent of onions and garlic sautéing in the morning signaling the start of a Filipino breakfast.
What keeps him full?
His love of cooking; the opportunity to help guide employees in their careers; and dreaming of perfect days spent exploring foreign cities as a food and travel writer—then discovering a great disc golf course.
Extra helping:
The superpower Erik would most appreciate? The ability to stop time. His favorite food words? Spinalis and rutabaga.
LIANNA LEBARRON
DIRECTOR OF COMPANY SERVICES AND EVENTS
What’s she hungry for?
Building systems and standard operating procedures to help coworkers and employees succeed in their roles; also loves assisting with guests with their special events and creating a connection with clients that continuously brings them back for more.
What keeps her full?
Cooking at home, exploring new restaurants and crafting cocktails; going to baseball games in the summer and visiting all the local wineries in her hometown.
Extra helping: Craves pizza, sushi and nachos. Loves traveling and getting to see new places.
JOE BENZ
DIRECTOR OF CONCESSIONS
What’s he hungry for?
Concessions! Ensuring that our guests are receiving quality products and service in addition to experiencing positive interactions with our staff. Joe loves pretty much any dish that includes chicken. Chicken everything.
What keeps him full?
Family, work, and creating seamless processes. Joe loves making new memories while traveling the world and finding new adventures.
Extra helping:
Loves all things 80’s. Looks forward to Halloween every year to see what his next costume will be.