James Stuart Email & Phone Number

​​​​​Custard is a comprehensive hospitality management company that offers a range of services for the restaurant and hotel industry. We specialize in transforming visions into thriving, high-performing experiences, while refining operations to maximize guest satisfaction and revenue. In Food & Beverage, we offer services ranging from concept development to full operational management. In hotels, we enhance performance with tailored operational and strategic expertise, maximizing… Show more ​​​​​Custard is a comprehensive hospitality management company that offers a range of services for the restaurant and hotel industry. We specialize in transforming visions into thriving, high-performing experiences, while refining operations to maximize guest satisfaction and revenue. In Food & Beverage, we offer services ranging from concept development to full operational management. In hotels, we enhance performance with tailored operational and strategic expertise, maximizing property value and investment returns through innovative optimization.Additionally, we offer bespoke consultancy services designed to meet the specific objectives of our partners. Show less

Miami / Dubai

Advise and collaborate with Paul Bishop on select hospitality projects that are not direct Custard engagements.

New York / Miami

Director for the Hospitality division of Infinity Collective. Led branding, programming, food and beverage, hotel development, and asset management across the hospitality portfolio. Launched Esmé Miami Beach in 2021.

Miami Beach

Esmé Miami Beach is a unique boutique hotel located along Miami Beach’s historic pedestrian corridor, Española Way. The first project from Infinity Hospitality, a subsidiary of New York-based Infinity Collective, Esmé opened in 2021. Originally built as a 1920’s artist village, the Spanish-Mediterranean revival property is comprised of eight buildings featuring 145 hotel rooms, 4 suites, and food and beverage concepts, including The Drexel, El Salón, and The Roof. Nestled alongside a… Show more Esmé Miami Beach is a unique boutique hotel located along Miami Beach’s historic pedestrian corridor, Española Way. The first project from Infinity Hospitality, a subsidiary of New York-based Infinity Collective, Esmé opened in 2021. Originally built as a 1920’s artist village, the Spanish-Mediterranean revival property is comprised of eight buildings featuring 145 hotel rooms, 4 suites, and food and beverage concepts, including The Drexel, El Salón, and The Roof. Nestled alongside a collection of the street's time-honored cafés, Esmé will bring a new style of chic escapism to Miami Beach, by raising the standard and not following it. Show less

New York, Ny

Hotel, food and beverage, restaurant and bar consultation, conceptualization, development. and management.November 2019 // Williamsburg restaurant strategyNovember 2018 // consultant to chef Adam LeontiOctober 2018 // Consultant to start-up Special Events companyOperations, development and strategy for The Lure Group. All aspects of pre-opening, launch and operation of multi-outlet bars and restaurants throughout New York City. Projects include Clinton Hall… Show more Hotel, food and beverage, restaurant and bar consultation, conceptualization, development. and management.November 2019 // Williamsburg restaurant strategyNovember 2018 // consultant to chef Adam LeontiOctober 2018 // Consultant to start-up Special Events companyOperations, development and strategy for The Lure Group. All aspects of pre-opening, launch and operation of multi-outlet bars and restaurants throughout New York City. Projects include Clinton Hall, POD hotels, Seaport District NY with Howard Hughes Corp2017:Seaport Garden Bar - an 80 ft seasonal outdoor bar on the cobblestone streets of Seaport District NYClinton Hall Seaport - a craft beer and burger bar and restaurant Seaport Food Lab - a celebrity chef residency pop-up for Paul Kahan, Jessica Koslow, Alon Shaya, Dale Talde, Wylie Dufresne, and Hugh AchesonMr Cannon - a craft cocktail barAmbrose Lobster - A lobster and crab food truckCH Self Pour - a high tech, self service beer trailer2018:Clinton Hall 51 @ THE POD HOTEL (Midtown East) March 2018Clinton Hall BK @ THE POD HOTEL (Williamsburg) Summer 2018RFTP @ THE POD HOTEL (Williamsburg) Summer 2018Clinton Hall 36 (Midtown/Herald Sq) Fall 2018 Show less

Brooklyn, New York

Pre-opening branding, identity, conceptualization of 147 room boutique property in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Assembled executive team, worked with construction and design teams, and conceived food & beverage outlets until launch. Also conceived and launched pop-up, Brooklyn Bread Lab with Chef Adam Leonti featuring a 10,000 lb stone mill, dedicated to the art of fresh ground flour and handmade breads.

New York, Ny

Various projects include: Cooper Square Hotel (preparing for sale to AB Hotels; now called the Standard East Village); The Jade Hotel (now The Walker); Hotel Modern New Orleans; Eric Goode's BBar; Paul Sevigny and Nur Khan's Don Hills

New York, Ny

Opened and developed all aspects of food and beverage with Sean MacPherson and Eric Goode, including Gemma, the Lobby Bar and the Bowery Terrace, a 10,000 square feet event space. Also responsible for launch and opening of The Jane Ballroom at The Jane Hotel, as well as The Maritime Hotel.

New York, Ny