Rose Duong General Manager & Executive Chef at The Wickwood Inn in Saugatuck - MI, USA
Wickwood Inn, the enchanting 14-room luxury boutique bed and breakfast nestled along the picturesque coast of Saugatuck, Mich., is pleased to appoint Rose Duong as general manager of Wickwood Inn. The property's executive chef since 2022, Duong will continue to lead its exceptional culinary offerings along with operations for the inn and recently opened Bungalow at Wickwood Inn, with a focus on delivering an unforgettable guest experience centered on refined design and food as an expression of hospitality in the charming coastal town.
For more than two decades, Duong has collaborated with Shea Soucie and Martin Horner, founding partners of Soucie Horner Design Collective, the owners and designers behind Wickwood Inn; she enjoys a family-like friendship with them and most recently, acted as a culinary visionary for the Wickwood Inn. Her new role draws upon this personal connection, her culinary expertise, and decades of experience in the hospitality industry. Previously, Duong had a 17-year tenure at Harpo Studios, Oprah Winfrey's renowned organization, where she took charge of the food operations. Afterward, Duong opened 150 C, a breakfast spot in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, before launching her own catering company.
The 86-year-old property on Michigan's west coast is an undiscovered historic gem, located in the charming coastal town of Saugatuck along Lake Michigan. Wickwood Inn's refined and one-of-a-kind design is reflected throughout the property, from the warm lobby to the new outdoor terrace and garden, offering a level of comfort and style that simultaneously honors the property's storied past and brings it into its next era. Built in 1937, the Wickwood Inn has transformed from a historic Colonial Revival home into a renowned culinary hotspot in downtown Saugatuck, leading the local food scene.
Initially recognized in the 1980s as the town's top bed-and-breakfast, Wickwood Inn gained national acclaim under gourmet expert Julee Rosso—co-author of The Silver Palate Cookbook—for its soulful, farm-to-table dishes. Today, it continues to enhance its culinary legacy under Duong, whose seasonal breakfasts, inventive lunches, poolside snacks, and mocktails showcase a sophisticated yet personal culinary style. Working closely with Soucie and Horner, Duong creates an immersive experience where culinary innovation, design, and Midwestern hospitality blend seamlessly.
This summer, Wickwood Inn debuted its newest addition: The Bungalow, a stunning three-bedroom guesthouse, designed and owned by the award-winning Soucie Horner Design Collective. This launch coincided with the firm's bold rebrand in celebration of its 25th anniversary, marking its evolution into a global lifestyle brand with a growing hospitality division. Soucie Horner Design Collective extends beyond its surface designs - it's also about discovery and cultural exploration, inspiring those to live with intention and encourage a sense of curiosity beyond the four walls of our immediate surroundings. Through entities such as the Wickwood Inn, the firm's hospitality vision - centered around refined design, personal service, and elevated cuisine - serve as a blueprint to grow into other markets.