Hospitality, hotel and restaurant marketing, branding and public relations

At Andrew Freeman & Co., a boutique full service consulting agency specializing in hospitality and restaurant clients, we believe that "life's a show - everyday we're on stage" and the rave reviews come from well-written scripts, clear direction and well-rehearsed players. As your cast and crew, we provide just this for our clients. We know how to heighten the image of the products and services that you offer, and increase the value of your business by developing and implementing innovative marketing and public relations concepts.

Kechia C. Ley – Account Supervisor, Marketing

While other children dreamed about their weddings, Kechia was dreaming about how to cater them. Flash forward - to pursue a career in hospitality, Kechia worked in various restaurants and a bakery to finance her education at San Francisco State University, where she earned her B.A. in Business Marketing. After graduating, she landed a job at the prestigious Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, where for four years she honed her skills in restaurant and hospitality marketing. Kechia coordinated numerous successful projects ranging from new restaurant openings to Kimpton's signature hotel wine hour program.

Prior to joining Andrew Freeman & Co., Kechia was Marketing Manager at Siemer & Hand Travel, where she indulged in travel by writing about far away places. She also managed the creative process and production of marketing collateral for travel partners such as Harvard Alumni, Brown University, and the Commonwealth Club.

However, before Kechia could venture far in the field of travel, she realized that her true calling was in hospitality and restaurants. She was thrilled to join Andrew Freeman & Co., where she is responsible for the marketing and promotional activities of the company and its select clients.

Kechia also gives back to her community through her charitable efforts as a Management Board Member for the Richmond Ermet AIDS Foundation. In her spare time, she enjoys dining out, planning her future epicurean world tour, and reading in the park on those rare sunny San Francisco days. She hopes to one day help cater someone's wedding, preferably not her own.

"Food is the great equalizer that brings people together."
-Kechia Ley

p. 415.781.5202
e. kechia@andrewfreemanandco.com

Laiko Bahrs – Account Supervisor, Public Relations

From media outreach to community relations, Laiko knows the food world inside and out. Most recently, Laiko oversaw the publicity for Füri, the Australian maker of professional grade cutlery (and the favorite knives of Rachael Ray of Food Network, Nigella Lawson and numerous chefs and editors.) During her tenure she launched eight new products- from packaging development through to media debut; produced the company's sponsorship programs at Aspen Food & Wine, South Beach Food & Wine; secured product placement on television shows like Nigella Feasts, Pairings with Andrea, Top Chef and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition; secured media promotions with Food Network, Good Housekeeping, Everyday with Rachael Ray and Cooking Pleasures; and launched the trade product marketing program introducing products to influential chefs, television producers and writers.

As manager of Community Outreach for Füri, Laiko secured the very successful partnership with Share Our Strength and Rachael Ray to sell a 3-piece knife set benefiting the organization, and promoted exclusively on Food Network.

In her career, she has planned over one-hundred food and wine related events, including industry conferences for Women Chefs & Restaurateurs and the American Cheese Society. A personal highlight was planning a small dinner for "The Making of a Cook" author Madeleine Kamman at Beringer Vineyards.

Also to note, Laiko has worked with authors from the food world including, Joanne Weir, cookbook author and PBS television host, Susan Hermann Loomis, best-selling author of the food memoir, "On Rue Tatin." On the product side, she has done publicity for award-winning cheese companies including Neal's Yard Dairy and Redwood Hill Farm. Last, for 9 years, she was the Bay Area Regional Consultant for the National Association of Specialty Food Trade where she wrote about the specialty food retail industry and produced educational programs for the annual Fancy Food Show.

"When cooking, follow your own taste. When baking, follow directions."
- Laiko Bahrs

p. 415.781.6677
e. laiko@andrewfreemanandco.com

Leith Steel – Account Manager

It all began with dessert; a whole slew of them, paraded by each table on a cart at a London restaurant by the name of Leith's. Years later when Leith was born her father harkened back to that fine meal and suggested her rather unusual name, and so it seems she was destined from the beginning.

After graduating from Cornell University with a degree in Environmental Design and Analysis and a concentration in Facilities Planning and Management, Leith went to work in professional kitchens. She attended culinary school in Portland, Oregon and briefly interned in Europe upon its completion. After five years of cooking professionally Leith decided to leave the kitchen and joined Fortune Public Relations publicizing local restaurants, while concurrently engaging in free lance writing. Her work has appeared in Oakland Magazine, Metro Silicon Valley, and the San Jose Mercury News in addition to a bi-weekly sponsored column appearing in the Palo Alto and Redwood City Daily Newspapers. Eventually she took a position as the director of marketing and public relations for Sigona's Farmers Market and resided there until pursuing further opportunities with Andrew Freeman & Co.

Like her parents before her, Leith enjoys traveling and seeking out the authentic foods and delving into the culture of each region. She has set a goal of visiting thirty countries by her 30th birthday. When she's not at work and not on the road, Leith enjoys hiking outdoors, doing yoga, or dancing, and you can still often find her in the kitchen.

p. 415.781.5520
e.

Heather Smith – Office Coordinator

Influenced by a childhood surrounded by wine in the California Napa Valley, and refined by her travels as a child, Heather realized that her passion lay in hospitality industry. Fueled by her love of the industry, Heather joined Andrew Freeman & Co.as an intern in 2007. After a whirlwind summer as a public relations intern, she was offered an office coordinator position with Andrew Freeman & Co. which she saw as the perfect opportunity to develop professionally. Along with working part-time, Heather is currently in the process of earning her B.S. in Hospitality Management with a minor in Business Administration at San Francisco State University. She anxiously awaits her graduation in Fall 2008 to take on the challenge of a full time position with Andrew Freeman & Co. and further spread her wings in the industry.

p. 415.781.5701
e.

THE TEAM