DAVID CUROTTO JOINS CANTIGNY AS FOOD & BEVERAGE DIRECTOR
David L. Curotto has joined Cantigny Park and Cantigny Golf as Food & Beverage Director. The appointment was announced by Northbrook, Ill.-based KemperSports, which oversees Cantigny’s golf and foodservice operations.
Curotto has been a professional chef at private country clubs throughout Chicagoland for the past 18 years. Most recently, since 2012, he was Executive Chef at Hawthorn Woods Country Club, a property also managed by KemperSports.
“Dave is a perfect fit for this position,” said Terry Hanley, Cantigny Golf’s general manager. “His ‘back of the house’ skills are well known and now he’ll get to realize his goal of stepping outside the kitchen to manage all aspects of a larger foodservice business. Cantigny’s restaurant and private party guests will enjoy the quality and service standards Dave and his team will implement throughout the year.”
Hanley, now in his second year at Cantigny, hired Curotto for the Hawthorn Woods job and they worked together for several years. When Cantigny’s top food and beverage position became available, Hanley’s choice to fill it was easy.
Curotto relishes his broader role and new career challenge at a venue as well known for its gardens and museums as its championship golf course.
“Cantigny is a wonderful institution,” he said. “People love it here for many different reasons, including a tradition of great food and hospitality. So I know I’m in the right place and can’t wait to help make the customer experience here even better.”
Curotto holds an Applied Science in Culinary Arts degree from Kendall College in Evanston, Ill. He lives in Aurora with his wife Rachael, also a chef, and their two young children.
About Cantigny
Cantigny Park, part of the Robert R. McCormick Foundations, is home to the McCormick Museum, First Division Museum, formal gardens, picnic grounds, walking trails and a Visitor Center with banquet and dining facilities. Cantigny Golf, adjacent to the park, features a 27-hole championship golf course, clubhouse with banquet and dining rooms, Cantigny Golf Academy and the 9-hole Cantigny Youth Links. Golf and parkwide foodservice operations are managed by KemperSports, Northbrook, Ill.