As AC Hotel’s Executive Chef, Malaki Craft brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role, where he oversees the future culinary direction for all five restaurants located at the hotel: Juniper, Paloma, The Press Room, Perfect Buns and AC Kitchen, as well as catering and banquets.
Craft’s culinary journey began with his family in Indianapolis, Indiana. Raised by a mother who was a Food and Beverage Manager and a stepfather who served as the Director of Culinary Operations at a Golf and Country Club, he was immersed in the world of food and hospitality from a young age. At the age of 10 he began helping his Executive Chef stepdad and General Manager mom in the restaurant they ran. After high school he decided to follow his passion and go to culinary school.
Craft pursued formal education at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, CA, widely recognized as one of the most prestigious culinary programs in the United States, and one of the most unique and inspiring places for culinary and wine education. From there Craft’s culinary career took off in restaurants all over the Southeast.
Prior to joining AC Hotel Greenville, Craft worked at two James Beard award winning restaurants. Craft was an intern at the famous Commander’s Palace in New Orleans, a seven-time James Beard Award-winning restaurant. There he mastered the art of pastries in a fast-paced environment that serves close to 3,000 guests daily. Later, he moved to Buccan and Grato in Palm Beach, where he was sous chef under Executive Chef Clay Conley, a seven-time James Beard Award semifinalist, honing his pasta making skills and learning pizza making. Chef Malaki’s career also brought him to Palm Beach where he served under Tim Lipman at Coolinary and the Parched Pig. There he specialized in house made charcuterie, learning from one of Palm Beach’s top chefs.
Rising through the ranks, Craft served as Chef De Cuisine at Admiral’s Cove in Jupiter, Florida, recognized as one of the “Platinum Clubs of the World,” signifying its elite status among the top 1% of private clubs globally due to its unparalleled service and amenities. Most recently, Chef Malaki was Executive Chef at Rick Erwin’s Clemson, where he spearheaded a remarkable increase in sales revenue, achieved outstanding food cost management, and fostered exemplary employee retention rates.
Outside the kitchen, Craft enjoys spending time with his family, which includes his wife and three children, as well as his two Great Danes, Arlo and Rue.