i. Biography
Coming Up
The early cadence of kitchen work took shape in 1998 in a local coffee shop and bakery in Aiken, South Carolina, where fresh bakes, early service, and the pace of daily hospitality set the terms of the job. From there, the work expanded across states and into more demanding service structures. Between 2001–2004, Chris Huerta worked as a traveling Sous Chef at Garrett Hotel Group in New York and South Carolina, a role built on movement, consistency, and the ability to step into different kitchens without losing rhythm. By 2007, Sous Chef work at Madison's Restaurant at Old Edwards Inn & Spa in Highlands, North Carolina placed Huerta inside a kitchen shaped by a defined sense of place. The position required discipline and attention to execution within a polished operation. Over time, that responsibility grew. From 2011–2015, he served as Head Chef at Madison's Restaurant at Old Edwards Inn & Spa in Highlands, North Carolina, carrying forward the experience built over the previous years. Since 2015, Huerta has held a broader leadership role as Executive Chef and Director of Food and Beverage of Old Edwards Hospitality Group, joining kitchen work with operational oversight. The span of that role reflects the progression of his career: from entry-level service in Aiken to responsibilities that reach beyond the pass and into the full structure of hospitality.
Where They Are Now
Since 2015, Chris Huerta has served as Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Director at Old Edwards Hospitality Group. In that position, the work extends past cooking alone and into service flow, dining-room rhythm, and the overall culinary expression of the group. His years at Old Edwards show a steady advance through the same house, with each role adding a wider view of how the operation functions.
Honors
The start of Madison's Organic Garden at The Farm at Old Edwards in Highlands, North Carolina marked a concrete extension of kitchen work into the growing side of the operation. It tied the restaurant more closely to the land and gave the food program another layer of sourcing and seasonality to work from. In Huerta's case, it reads less like a side note than a practical enlargement of the chef's role, connecting menu work, supply, and the restaurant's broader identity.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Chris
What is Chris Huerta's current role?
As of 2026, Chris Huerta is Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Director.
Where did Chris Huerta work before?
Chris Huerta's earlier career included Local coffee shop and bakery, Garrett Hotel Group, and Madison's Restaurant at Old Edwards Inn & Spa.
What is Chris Huerta known for?
He started Madison's Organic Garden at The Farm at Old Edwards in 2011.
