Whole Foods Market hires chef Tien Ho to upgrade prepared foods

Whole Foods Market plans to elevate its prepared foods and bakery departments with the creation of a new role, global VP of culinary and hospitality, to be filled by noted chef Tien Ho.

Ho previously oversaw the culinary department at the Morgans Hotel Group’s 10 hotel brands, including Mondrian, Hudson, Morgans, Royalton, Delano, Shore Club, Clift, Sanderson, St Martins Lane and others in development.

Prior to that, Ho was a chef and partner in New York restaurant brands such as Little Wisco, Momofuku Ssäm Bar and Má Pêche. For the latter, New York magazine named Ho Best New Chef in 2011.

“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,” Ken Meyer, EVP of operations at Whole Foods Market, said in a press release. “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.”

“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.”

Ho will begin his role, working out of the retailer’s Austin headquarters, in January 2016.

This piece originally appeared on supermarketnews.com, a New Hope 360 sister website. Visit the site for more grocery trends insights.