Whitney Peak Hotel and Roundabout Catering are teaming up

A new concept in dining is coming to Whitney Peak Hotel.

Colin and MaryBeth Smith, with Roundabout Catering, “will be coming in as early as next week to start running the operation at Heritage as they transition into what is going to be their new space in July,” said Niki Gross, general manager of Whitney Peak.

Heritage Restaurant will continue to operate as-is for approximately six weeks, then will transition seamlessly into the new concept with Colin and MaryBeth Smith, which will roll out in the near future. The new concept will undergo a soft opening for two weeks before a grand opening, which is expected by July.

Roundabout and Whitney Peak Hotel have signed a 10-year lease agreement, effective immediately, that will appoint Colin Smith as executive chef, with MaryBeth Smith overseeing the business side of food and beverage operations in the restaurant, in addition to room service and group events.

“Consistency of service and quality being available not only to Reno local public, but our hotel guests too,” Gross highlighted as something she is looking forward to with Roundabout.

As the recent changes with Heritage unfolded, Gross explained, “We were concerned with the 20,000-square-foot banquet facility that is opening in about a month.”

“Both in their restaurant operations and through their catering business, the Smiths have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to innovative cuisine, exceptional service and creative presentation,” Gross said in a press release. “As we approach our second anniversary, we wanted that caliber of leadership and talent to carry us into our next year of business and beyond. Our new event space has unlimited potential and will create opportunities for the hotel to enhance its service to both the local community and visitors to Reno.”

The restaurant will not close during the transition, and the existing Heritage staff will continue on in their current positions. The new entity under the corporate umbrella of Roundabout Catering will host a job fair in the coming weeks to staff up for the new event space on Whitney Peak’s newly remodeled third floor.

The facility located on the third floor of the Whitney peak hotel has been a $3 million project, according to Gross. Miles Construction started the renovation back in December or January.

“We have come full circle as we move back into the restaurant business,” Colin Smith said in a press release. “This was an incredible opportunity to create something new; we were given a blank canvas and creative license to develop an innovative concept for Reno and the Whitney Peak Hotel, while applying our extensive catering and event planning expertise to the one-of-a-kind event space that will open in the coming weeks.”

Colin and MaryBeth Smith, whose company just marked its 10th anniversary, started their business with a standalone restaurant, Roundabout Bistro, before moving into the catering and event planning business in 2009.

Colin Smith began spending time in restaurants at age 14, following in his grandfather’s footsteps. He attended the California Culinary Academy and apprenticed with several European chefs in the Bay Area. MaryBeth is the perfect balance of ingenuity and inventiveness, and has guided their company in double-digit growth each year through acquisitions and leadership.