John C. Metz Jr. ’92 started his company in 1996 with Hi-Life Kitchen & Cocktails, and it has since grown to include more than 60 restaurants. As CEO, executive chef, and co-founder of Sterling Hospitality, Metz operates Marlow’s, the Woodall, Spinning Room, and Sterling Culinary Management, an on-site foodservice company.
Metz’s training began at Penn State, The Pennsylvania State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management before earning his associate at the Culinary Institute of America.
Some notable recognitions Metz and companies have received include: 2013 IFMA Gold Plate Award, Chain Leader Magazine Protégé Award, Atlanta ZAGAT Guide Top 10 Hosts of the year, NRA’s Good Neighbor Award, and Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Most Admired CEO. In addition, Marlow’s was named one of Nations Restaurant News’s 50 “Breakout Brands;” Aqua Blue Restaurant was awarded three Mobil Travel Guide stars and the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence; and three of Sterling’s concepts were named to Jezebel Magazine Top 100 Restaurants list.
Metz serves on numerous boards and charitable organizations including previously serving as chair of the Culinary Institute of America’s Board of Trustees and currently serving on The National Restaurant Association board. Sterling has raised more than $2 million for Special Olympics Georgia and Share our Strength, as well as other local charities.
Chef John Metz Jr. majored in Culinary Arts at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. He is a member of the inaugural class of CIA’s Alumni Hall of Fame.