Daniel Elinan has been appointed Executive Chef at Hamilton Hotel Washington DC
Via Sophia, the modern, authentic osteria located within the iconic Hamilton Hotel, is pleased to announce the appointment of Daniel Elinan as Executive Chef. In his new role, Elinan looks forward to evolving the restaurant's culinary program alongside a passionately engaged team, bringing bold, globally inspired flavors to Via Sophia's southern Italian menu. Recently honored in Wine Spectator's Restaurant Awards for the fourth consecutive year, Via Sophia focuses on quality, consistency, and hospitality.
With over 15 years of global culinary experience, Chef Elinan has held leadership positions across luxury and full-service hotels throughout the U.S. and Europe. His style blends responsibly sourced ingredients with Mediterranean influences, drawing from the flavors of Italy and Spain to create authentic, nourishing dishes. With a background in biology, he approaches cooking through both a scientific and nostalgic lens, shaped by time in the kitchen with his mother and abuelita.
Most recently, Elinan served as Executive Chef at the Hilton Knoxville, where he managed complex dining, catering, and banquet operations, generating $9.3 million in annual food revenue. Before that, he spent six years as Executive Chef at the Hyatt Regency Monterey, overseeing a team of 40, three dining outlets, and banquets that generated up to $500,000 monthly. Earlier in his career, Dan notably opened Becca, the fine-dining concept at The Cavalier Hotel within the Marriott's Autograph Collection - now a flagship destination in the region.
Internationally, Dan led culinary operations at Boscolo Hotels' Carlo IV in Prague and New York Palace in Budapest, and opened three high-volume restaurant locations with Primetime Restaurants in Budapest.
At Via Sophia, Chef Elinan brings seasoned expertise and a collaborative leadership style to every aspect of the food and beverage program, from daily dining and in-room experiences to large-scale banquets and private events.
For more information on Via Sophia, visit www.viasophiadc.com and follow @viasophiadc and @hamiltonhoteldc on social media. Event inquiries can be submitted here.
Washington, District of Columbia
United States
