Eric Audit, CFBE
Director of Food and Beverage
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Eric has served in the hospitality industry for over 25 years. He joined the hotel's ownership company directly after graduating from college in 1985.

Eric has been retained as a hospitality consultant by such prestigious groups as Ritz Carlton Hotels, Fairmont Hotels, Marriott Corporation, Swissotel the Americas, Renaissance Hotels and resorts, Hilton Hotels and Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts both in the Americas and throughout the Caribbean.

In Eric's words, "my job is to ensure that our staff and management provide each guest with the finest service possible. The unique combination of having a beautiful facility and a staff who possesses a trained eye for detail, ensures an unforgettable experience for our guests."

Vicki has been managing the banquet department for the Holiday Inn Riverfront for the past six years. She possesses over 30 years of experience in the food and beverage industry.

Her history includes ownership of a restaurant in the Illinois area and a local Golf & Tennis Club, which involved banquet facilities. Over the years, she has been affiliated with numerous country clubs, steak houses and finer eating and banquet establishments.

Vicki’s talents and responsibilities include overseeing the banquet setup staff, expediting food service, scheduling and managing wait staff and insuring the guests satisfaction on a one to one basis, during the actual event. Her background in the craft industry has given her a great eye for detail in decorating for special events.

Cindy Potrue
Catering Director
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Wendy
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Cindy has been with the Holiday Inn Riverfront for six years and presently holds the position of Catering/Sales director.

She brings more than 20 years of hospitality and food / beverage experience to the hotel, having previously owned and operated a seasonal resort for 17 years. She graduated with a degree in Business Management.
Cindy had served as secretary for 2 years for the Manatee Bridal Connection, a local association of vendors providing services to the brides of Southwest Florida.

She began her career in Chicago, Illinois in a food related family business and continued working in that field throughout the years.

"The challenge of providing exactly what my clients needs are and coordinating the events to their specifications always gives me a great sense of accomplishment," Cindy says.

As catering director for the hotel, Cindy's responsibilities include booking all events, coordinating menu selections and room configurations, determining audio-visual needs and keeping current on the bridal and meeting industry's latest needs.

Chef Rob has been affiliated with the hospitality industry for over 25 years and has served as executive chef for the hotel for 15 years.

During his tenure in food service, Rob has received certification in food handling and core training for assisted living facilities. His association with Peridia Country Club and The Regency ALF of St. Petersburg has afforded him a well rounded background in all the aspects of food service, sanitation and presentation. His experience at several upscale seafood restaurants have made him a specialist in fresh Florida seafood preparation. Under his direction, the hotel has been voted #1 best Sunday brunch by the readers of the Bradenton Herald for 3 years in a row.

He enjoys the fast pace environment and the opportunity to provide a pleasurable dining experience for all of our guests. His ability to ensure a smooth running kitchen from quality control, staffing, artistic presentations and coordinating four major holiday buffets throughout the year make his demanding job look effortless.