The Noonday Club Team

Established in 1893, the Noonday Club is one of the nations oldest clubs and enjoys an outstanding reputation for catering to the city’s business and social community. Our full-service private club, located high atop One Metropolitan Square in the heart of downtown, provides views unmatched by any other club in Missouri. Our tradition of impeccable service, imaginative cuisine and attention to the smallest detail makes every gathering a special occasion. Take comfort in all the amenities an exclusive club will provide for you and your guests. Thank you for considering the Noonday Club for your special occasion. Our experienced staff is pleased to be of assistance in any way possible.

Michael G. Chollet
General Manager

Mike has been the General Manager of the Noonday Club since 1982. His credentials include a total of almost 30 years of private club experience in the St. Louis area. His private club experience includes other prestigious City, Faculty and Country Clubs in the greater St. Louis area. Mike is a graduate of the Hotel & Restaurant program at Forest Park Community College and completed his undergraduate work at Webster University with a degree in Management. Mike is actively involved with the Club Managers Association of America and has served as a past president of the local area chapter. Mike and his wife, Teri Finan – a writer and editor for a national private club publication – reside in Manchester, MO.

Cindy E. Maes
Assistant General Manager

Cindy Maes joined the Noonday Club staff in 2003.  A European, Cindy was born and raised in Belgium and holds a hotel & restaurant management degree from the Hoge Hotelschool Maastricht University in The Netherlands. Cindy has additional hospitality experience with both the Chase & Ritz Hotels in St. Louis and other world-class hotels in Europe. In addition to Flemish and English, Cindy is also fluent in Dutch, French and German. Cindy, her husband, Mark & son, Anthony live in Crestwood, MO.

Booker T. Simmons
Night Manager

Booker has been with the Club since 2000 and has worked in almost every front-of-the-house capacity during that time. Mr. Simmons has excellent hospitality background with ten years in hotels and another dozen country club years before coming to the Noonday Club. He is quick with a smile and always ready to help make your visit to the Club a pleasant occasion.

John "J.R." Roden
Executive Chef

John "J.R." Roden has been the Executive Chef at the Noonday Club since May 2008 when he was promoted from his former job as Sous Chef. J.R. had worked at the Club under Chef John Kennealy since 1993. J.R. is well known and respected in the St. Louis community of chefs. He has extensive experience at other fine Clubs in town with his primary training taking place at the Saint Louis Club and St. Louis Country Club. J.R. and his wife, Sarah are life-long St. Louis residents and are the parents of three children. Daughter, Anna, Neil and Kyle.

Joseph Varvera
Sous Chef

Our sous chef is another local country club veteran, Joseph Varvera. Joe joined the Noonday Club staff in May 2008. Prior to that he had worked with both John Kennealy and J. R. Roden at St. Louis Country Club. Joe has also trained with renowned Chef Daniel Boloud in New York and James Beard chef of the year, Keith Luce in Aspen. Most recently, Joe has been employed as the chef at the Mediterranean restaurant, Michaels in St. Louis.

Susan K. Appelbaum
Controller & Office Manager

The Noonday Club has been very fortunate to have the services of Susan Appelbaum since 1986. Single-handedly, Susan manages all bookkeeping and accounting functions at the Club with speed and accuracy. Hers is the pleasant voice at the other end of the phone line on the rare occasion when questions about monthly statement arise. Susan holds a degree in Certified Public Accounting and is a member of the Missouri Society of CPA's.

Cindy A. Tangaro
Membership & Marketing Director

Cindy Tangaro, Membership & Marketing Director, is the newest member of the Noonday Club staff. During her twenty-five year career with TWA and American Airlines, she served in a wide variety of positions, from group, corporate, and convention sales, to sales effectiveness coordinator for the St. Louis Reservations location. She further broadened her sales and marketing
background as Project Manager and Executive Assistant at Contemporary Productions, a marketing, concert, and special events company. A native St. Louisan, Cindy is dedicated to preserving the tradition of the Noonday Club, enhancing member benefits and embracing membership growth."