Commencement Speaker: John C. Metz ’92
New York Campus—October 22, 2020
With more than 35 years of restaurant and hospitality experience, John C. Metz knows what it takes to create, run, and maintain a successful restaurant company and has done just that with his many culinary ventures in the Atlanta area.
As CEO, executive chef, and co-founder of Marlow’s Tavern and Sterling Culinary Management which operates on-site corporate dining café concepts Market Street Café, Bistros, Social Kitchen, Metz has been creating neighborhood gathering places for guests all across the city.
His experience has also led him to be on the forefront of reopening dining rooms in Georgia in the wake of the COVID-19.
Metz’s love for the restaurant business originated at a young age when he started as a dishwasher at one of his father’s restaurants, soon moving on to prep cook and eventually running the kitchen. Metz brings knowledge and flavor to the menus of Marlow’s Tavern, Aqua Blue, Hi Life, and Sterling Spoon. Trained by the best, he began his education at, The Pennsylvania State University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management. He then went on to pursue his culinary education from The Culinary Institute of America, where he graduated at the top of his class.
Metz began his laudable career in New York City at the 21 Club, Tribeca Grill, Park Avenue Café, and Montrachet and Della Famina’s in East Hampton. He served as executive director of research and development for Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, the franchisor for TGI Friday’s, developing brands like of Italianni’s, Front Row Sports Grill, Timpano, and Samba Room. As well, he headed up research and development for Carlson’s international restaurant division opening restaurants in 12 countries around the world.
In 1996, Metz and partner started their business creating an upscale neighborhood spot, Hi Life Kitchen & Cocktails in Atlanta. Hi Life focuses on fresh and local for a menu of reinvented American cuisine and a wine program that boasts over 50 wines by the glass. “Hi Life put our company on the map at a time when those trends were not as developed as they are today,” says Metz. Aqua Blue Restaurant & Bar, another Metz concept, was opened in 2001 and sold in 2018.
Metz is the chief executive, co-founder, and executive chef of Sterling Hospitality, co-founding and operating; Marlow’s Tavern, an upscale neighborhood gathering place. In addition, Metz operates an upscale contract foodservice company, Sterling Culinary Management, which specializes in on-site restaurant management. This on-site foodservice and catering company created very unique concepts bringing an upscale, chef-driven, fresh restaurant experience into the corporate space. .
Metz is very involved in the industry and communities in which he operates his businesses. He is on the National Restaurant Association’s Board of Directors, The Culinary Institute of America’s Board of Trustees, Georgia Restaurant Association’s Board of Directors, The Atlanta Visitors and Convention Bureau’s Board of Directors, and was appointed 2007 and 2008 Chairman of DiRōNA. He is actively involved with the Special Olympics of Georgia and Share our Strength organizations.
Metz and his companies have received some recognition since its inception; Chain Leader Magazine Protégé Award 2006, Atlanta ZAGAT Guide Top 10 Hosts of the year, He was honored as the 2013 Gold Plate Award winner by IFMA. 2013 Nation’s Restaurant News named Marlow’s Tavern one of its NRN 50 “Breakout Brands” for the year. National Restaurant Associations Good Neighbor Award 2007/2008, DiRōNA award for Hi Life Kitchen and Cocktails and Aqua Blue Restaurant & Bar, Mobile 3 stars, Aqua Blue Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, Jezebel Magazine Top 100 Restaurants for all three concepts.