WILLIAMSBURG — Change and growth are two words that can be used to describe Amber Ox Public House as it recently made big staffing announcements.
Ileana White was promoted to Executive Chef and Nicole Pereira was named new General Manager.
“We are thrilled to announce the recent promotions of Chef Ileana and the hire of our new General Manager, Nicole,” stated Andrew Voss, restaurant co-founder. “These individuals are some of the most passionate, hospitality-driven food and beverage operators I’ve had the privilege to work with. Their roles as strong female leaders make this moment even more exciting!”
Chef White, who was born and raised in Gloucester, began cooking as a teenager. She went on to receive a degree from the Culinary Institute of Virginia and honed her craft while working in several area kitchens.
She also competed in season 21 of Gordon Ramsay‘s “Hell’s Kitchen,” where White says she “grew exponentially as a chef and person.”
“A lot has happened since ‘Hell’s Kitchen,'” explained White. “It has definitely been a learning curve and a journey.”
Before accepting the role of Executive Chef, White was the Chef de Cuisine for Amber Ox.
White says in her new role, she has been doing a lot of research and development and working with local farms.
“There has been a lot of learning farm-to-table, seasonality and how to make everything ‘play nice’ on a plate,” said White. “It’s been fun and there has been trial and error learning what works.”
Amber Ox will be presenting White’s new seasonal menu this month, with White’s promise for food to be fun, fresh and refined, “I just want to get back to basics, I don’t think you have to throw a million things on a plate to make it great. I am about celebrating the ingredients.”
In her new position as General Manager, Pereira brings a lifetime of restaurant experience. She grew up in restaurants, including her family’s bagel shop in Pennsylvania, then studied business management & marketing and public relations (while waiting tables).
