Philadelphia — Global commercial real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield has welcomed food, beverage and hospitality industry veteran Chef Michael Traud, J.D., Ed.D., to its national Specialty F&B, Entertainment & Hospitality Consulting team.
In his new role as specialty food & beverage project management director, Traud will focus on food hall development, operations and programming, strategic restaurant curation, and music and special events procurement for real estate owner and investor clients across the U.S. He will be based in Philadelphia and will work directly with consulting team leaders Phil Colicchio and Trip Schneck to service the firm’s clients coast to coast.
Traud joins Cushman & Wakefield from Drexel University, where he served as program director for hospitality management in the university’s Center for Food and Hospitality Management. Prior to his time at Drexel, Traud cooked with James Beard Foundation Award winning chefs Marc Vetri and Jeff Michaud at restaurants Vetri and Osteria in Philadelphia.
“We can say with utmost confidence that Michael will be an incredible asset to Cushman & Wakefield’s Specialty F&B, Entertainment & Hospitality Consulting team — and to the firm’s roster of owner and investor clients,” Colicchio says. “His experience in the culinary world is remarkable, and he will add tremendous value to our clients as they evaluate, select and engage with elevated food, beverage and entertainment options.”
The Cushman & Wakefield Specialty F&B, Entertainment & Hospitality Consulting team is behind some of the largest luxury F&B projects and food halls to hit the market over the past decade, and its principals have collaborated with more than 75 world-class hotels and over 50 James Beard Foundation Award-winning chefs, restaurateurs, beverage professionals, service professionals and restaurant designers. Latest projects to hit the market include the Inner Rail Food Hall in Omaha, Neb., and Crave Food Hall at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.
“Consumer palates are rapidly evolving with a preference for memorable, experiential food, beverage and entertainment options, and the property owners, developers and investors we serve have wisely taken note,” says Katie Mahon, senior managing director, strategy & operations lead, Americas Retail Services at Cushman & Wakefield. “We know Michael’s expertise and his reputation as a strategic hospitality and culinary adviser will be incredibly beneficial to our clients as they create unique, locals-only experiences and concepts.”
Cushman & Wakefield is a leading global real estate services firm that delivers exceptional value for real estate occupiers and owners. Core services include property, facilities and project management, leasing, capital markets and valuation. For more information, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com.
SOURCE: Cushman & Wakefield