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Fashion Island Hotel has named Aaron Anderson, 12-year culinary industry professional, as general manager of Fashion Island Hotel’s signature restaurant Oak Grill and vibrant after-work and night-time venue Aqua Lounge.

In his new position as Oak Grill and Aqua Lounge general manager, Anderson works closely with Washko and Oak Grill’s Executive Chef Brittany Valles, as well as the Aqua Lounge team to elevate the food and beverage offerings.

Prior to his appointment at Fashion Island Hotel, Anderson was beverage director for Los Angeles-based Citrus Hospitality Management where he was responsible for all aspects of the group’s beverage programs and for managing a staff of 180 people working at Perch, Bar 13, Mrs. Fish and Hill Street Pizza. Previously, Anderson was director of operations with the Ditmus Restaurant Group in Los Angeles and served as executive chef/partner at South County Restaurant Group’s Harlow’s and Kingston Catering in San Juan Capistrano, California. Anderson has held chef positions at now-closed FigOly Restaurant in Los Angeles Luxe City Center Hotel, at McCormick and Schmick’s for various Orange County California locations, and he cheffed at Ivan Kane’s Café Was in Los Angeles. He graduated from the Le Cordon Bleu Certified Program at Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon, with an associate’s degree of applied science.