China Live San Francisco, a ~30,000 square-foot Chinese epicurean destination set to open in spring 2015 in the heart of Chinatown, today announced that Kathy Tierney has joined the executive team as special consultant – retail strategy. With a rich background in the retail industry, Tierney was most recently CEO of Sur La Table, where she also served on the board of directors as executive vice chairman. In her role as special consultant – retail strategy for China Live, Tierney will focus on the retail and marketplace component of the project, including brand and product development.
In her new position, Tierney joins China Live founder and executive chef George Chen (Betelnut, Shanghai 1930), his wife and cofounder Cindy Wong-Chen, and Richard Miyashiro, managing partner and director of operations (Boulevard, Kitchen Door, Hakkasan). The well-regarded executive team also includes Doug Collister, director of marketing; Janine Shiota, corporate communications, partnerships, and programming; and Spencer Wang, director of finance.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kathy and her expertise to our growing team,” said George Chen, founder of China Live. “Kathy’s extensive experience and industry knowhow coupled with her keen understanding of retail strategy and user experience will be enormous assets as we continue to develop, define, and eventually debut China Live’s retail-market.”
China Live San Francisco will provide unprecedented access to Chinese gastronomy and culture, demystifying its techniques, ingredients and philosophy of cooking. The interactive Chinese food and beverage market-restaurant will present curated retail, a lively café, and a variety of casual dining options prepared at exhibition kitchens. The retail-market will showcase approachably priced, hand-crafted products ranging from spices, teas, condiments, produce, and house-cured meats and poultry to cookware and cutlery – all thoughtfully curated and presented seasonally. Knowledgeable guides will assist guests with exploration and education via tasting tables, integrated digital content, and interactive components. Above the marketplace will be Eight Tables by George Chen, an intimate fine dining restaurant offering a seasonal 12-course Chinese tasting menu, in addition to a craft cocktail bar and lounge.
“I am delighted to join China Live, an ambitious project that fits perfectly within my wheelhouse,” said Tierney. “With George’s leadership and unparalleled knowledge of the finest gourmet Chinese products, China Live is certain to bring a new dimension of culinary exploration to San Francisco. I look forward to leveraging my skills and experience to fully realize the vision of retail offerings.”
With a prestigious career in the retail industry and international business, Tierney served as CEO of Sur La Table, a multi channel purveyor of professional cookware for home chefs from 2004 – 2008 and executive vice chairman of the board of directors from 2008 – 2011. From 2001 – 2003, she was CEO at Fitch North America, a global brand and design firm based in London. Prior to that, Tierney was the CEO of Smith & Hawken, a Mill Valley, Calif. lawn and garden retail company, and executive vice president of the Berkeley-based Nature Company, where she oversaw the growth from three locations to 120 stores nationwide. Kathy climbed Mt Kilimanjaro in 2000, has trekked in Bhutan and Nepal, runs marathons and completed her first triathlon 2010.
For more information about China Live San Francisco, please visit www.ChinaLiveSF.com.
