Whole Foods names Tien Ho global vp, culinary and hospitality

Whole Foods Market said it named Tien Ho global vice president of culinary and hospitality. Ho will begin work in this newly created leadership role at the company’s Austin headquarters in January 2016.

He will lead Whole Foods Market’s prepared foods and bakery team, ensuring it consistently delivers the highest quality and excellence through existing and new concepts that deliver great customer experiences, Whole Foods Market said.

“Having worked among some of the most recognized chefs and hotel brands in the world, Tien is an innovative leader in the culinary and hospitality industries,” said Ken Meyer, executive vice president of operations for Whole Foods Market. “As the Whole Foods Market brand continues to evolve and differentiate itself from competitors, we recognize the importance of this role and could not be more pleased to welcome Tien, who will help us elevate the way Whole Foods Market guests experience our food.”

Ho is joining Whole Foods Market from Morgans Hotel Group, where he was responsible for all aspects of the culinary department across the group’s portfolio of 10 hotels. While there, he led all kitchen design and concept development, orchestrated strategic partnerships with celebrity chefs, created and managed critical path and standard operating procedures for Morgans Hotel Group’s culinary team, and oversaw the recruitment of all culinary positions, Whole Foods Market said.

Prior to his tenure at Morgans Hotel Group, Ho held chef and partner positions with a number of restaurant brands in New York, including Little Wisco, Momofuku Ssäm Bar and Má Pêche. He began his culinary career in Texas at top-tier hotel restaurant venues, including Four Seasons Hotel Houston and The Driskill Hotel in Austin, until he relocated to New York in 2002 to serve as a sous chef at the award-winning Café Boulud and Café Gray, the retailer noted.

“Having lived in Austin previously, I have long admired how Whole Foods Market set itself apart from conventional grocery stores by offering the best-quality products, shopping experience and really enjoyable in-store dining experiences,” Ho said. “Whole Foods Market makes grocery shopping fun, and my mission is to further extend the wonderfully unique things people love about Whole Foods Market through the foods we create, the items we bake, and the experience our customers have when they purchase and consume them.”