A New Chapter of Southern Hospitality on Marco Island at Marek’s Collier House

Welcoming Executive Chef Jennifer Stinson—and sharing the heart behind our table.

Southern hospitality on Marco Island at our historic 1882 home. 

By Trese Hadge, Owner

When I think about what I want people to remember after a visit to Marek’s Collier House, I

think about the welcome as much as the meal. Did someone greet them warmly? Did they feel comfortable settling in? Was there a moment that made the evening feel personal?

Those questions shape my vision for our historic restaurant in Old Marco. As we welcome

Executive Chef Jennifer Stinson, I want to share a little of that vision—and the place our kitchen holds within it.

A Welcome That Begins at the Door

To me, Southern hospitality begins with a simple feeling: we are glad you came.

It is walking guests to their table, taking a moment to listen, and making room for a question without making anyone feel hurried. It is remembering a familiar face and extending that same warmth to someone visiting Marco Island for the first time.

Sometimes, hospitality is a small gesture: offering a thoughtful recommendation, noticing an empty water glass, or giving guests time to enjoy one another’s company. These details

deserve our attention because they shape how people feel while they are with us.

My hope is that you can settle into your chair, relax, and trust us to take care of you.

Welcoming Chef Jennifer Stinson

Our Executive Chef, Jennifer Stinson, joins us in bringing Southern contemporary cuisine to the table at Marek’s Collier House.

The direction is close to my heart: familiar Southern flavors, coastal influences, and food that suits the character of this historic home. Think warm biscuits shared across the table,

beautifully prepared seafood, comforting sides, and a supper worth taking your time over.

As Jennifer leads our kitchen, my expectation is that the care we offer in the dining room

carries through every plate. Preparation, presentation, and consistency all matter. So does the conversation between the kitchen and the people serving our guests.

A guest’s question about an ingredient, a food allergy, or a special request deserves attention from the whole team. That shared responsibility is part of the hospitality I want us to practice every day.

I look forward to introducing you more fully to Jennifer in the weeks ahead and sharing the

dishes, ideas, and people behind our kitchen.

Gathering in a Home with History

Our 1882 home gives Marek’s Collier House a character all its own. There is something fitting about gathering around a table in a place with so much history.

As an owner, I feel a responsibility to honor that setting while making it comfortable and

welcoming for the people who come through our doors today. I want longtime neighbors to feel at home here. I want seasonal residents to look forward to returning. And I want first-time visitors to discover a place they will remember when they think of Marco Island.

Whether you come for lunch, a family gathering, or an evening you have been looking forward to all week, your visit matters to us.

The Experience of Southern Hospitality on Marco Island that I Hope You Take Home with You

I hope you leave with a favorite dish and a reason to return. Perhaps it will be a

recommendation that turned out to be just right, a kind exchange with your server, or an

unhurried conversation over dessert.

Those are the experiences I want our team to create through thoughtful cooking and gracious service.

Please join me in welcoming Chef Jennifer Stinson to Marek’s Collier House. We look forward to sharing more from our kitchen and welcoming you to this next chapter.

Explore our menus and plan your next visit. We would love to welcome you.

There’s a place for you at our table.

Trese Hadge

Owner, Marek’s Collier House

A Legacy of Southern Grace. A Vision for Modern Hospitality.