The DeSoto, the 128-year-old iconic hotel located at 15 E. Liberty St. in historic downtown Savannah, Ga., is pleased to welcome Mark Santiago as its Executive Chef. In that role, he will manage and oversee all aspects of the food & beverage for the hotel banquet events, Buffalo Bayou, Edgar’s Proof & Provision and 1540 Room. At The DeSoto, Mark will continue to focus on delivering a Southern-inspired, forward-thinking menu with unique twists on the favorites everyone knows and loves.

Prior to joining The DeSoto, Santiago served as the chef at The Manion on Forsyth Park. No stranger to the hospitality culinary scene, Chef Mark has worked with properties like The Westin, W Hotels, Hyatt Hotels & The Kessler Collection and is a 2002 graduate of The Art Institute of Seattle. Among his long list of accolades, he was selected as a featured chef for the AquaCurean Gourmet Savannah Food & Wine Festival in 2017 and nominated as a Leader of the Year.