Hilton Announces James Beard Award-winning Mashama Bailey as Chef Partner for Signia Hilton Savannah

Hilton recently announced a culinary partnership for Signia Hilton Savannah with Grey Spaces, a Savannah-based hospitality and lifestyle company founded by James Beard Award-winning Chef Mashama Bailey and restaurateur Johno Morisano. Widely regarded as a leading voice in American cuisine, Grey Spaces will bring its distinct vision to one of the city’s most anticipated hotel debuts in 2028.

Together, Chef Mashama and Johno co-founded Grey Spaces and are the business partners behind The Grey, the critically acclaimed Savannah restaurant they opened in 2014 in a restored, 1938 Greyhound bus terminal. Rooted in Port City Southern food, community and culture, Grey Spaces is guided by a mission to welcome strangers as friends and celebrate diverse experiences. The company’s work spans flagship restaurant The Grey in Savannah, L’Arrêt by The Grey in Paris and a broader portfolio of storytelling and cultural projects that bring Southern cuisine to new audiences.

In partnership with Hilton, Chef Mashama, Johno and Grey Spaces will shape the hotel’s culinary direction, guiding concept development, menus, wine lists and the overall food and beverage approach across the lobby bar, all-day dining restaurant and rooftop venue, which will offer panoramic views of the skyline and waterfront. The offerings will be completely unique from anything else Grey Spaces is doing in Savannah, giving locals, visitors and hotel guests plenty of reason to drink, dine and socialize on property through artful experiences that invite people to gather and see the city from a fresh perspective.

“At Signia Hilton Savannah, we’re excited to create a culinary destination that reflects the spirit of Savannah and the Lowcountry, embraces heritage through food and draws on the global influences that have shaped my journey as a chef. It’s about creating a place that feels connected to the city - one that belongs as much to guests as it does to the community,” said Chef Mashama.

“There’s an art to building a dining program from the ground up - thoughtfully shaping how guests move through each setting and how the experience unfolds. Our philosophy with Grey Spaces centers on radical hospitality: creating places where people gather naturally and strangers can become friends. With Savannah as our home base, we’re excited to bring that same intentionality to this partnership with Hilton,” said Johno Morisano.

"Savannah is a city with extraordinary culinary heritage, and Chef Mashama is a defining gastronomic voice and trailblazer in the community. What she and Johno have built at The Grey is a testament to their love for this city and its story,” said Brian Abel, senior vice president, food and beverage operations & development, Americas, Hilton. “We are honored to partner with Grey Spaces and look forward to bringing their perspective to the hotel, underscoring both Hilton and Signia Hilton’s commitment to working with world-class culinary partners to create exceptional, destination-driven dining."