Alila Ventana Big Sur, a breathtaking luxury resort in the heart of California’s rugged Central Coast, announced today the appointment of Sebastian Gurevich as General Manager, where he will continue to elevate the resort’s distinct positioning, foster its exceptional team culture, and further solidify its reputation as a premier luxury destination.
Lauer brings a wealth of experience and a passion for culinary excellence to his role as Executive Chef at Alila Ventana Big Sur. A graduate of Johnson & Wales University Providence with both a Bachelors of Culinary Arts & Food Service Management and a Masters of Business Administration, Lauer has honed his skills in some of the world's most prestigious kitchens. His career has been defined by a commitment to luxury hospitality, evident in his previous roles as Sous Chef, Chef de Cuisine, and Banquet Chef at Four Seasons Hotel Denver and Sous Chef at the James Beard Award-winning Mercantile Dining & Provision. Chef Lauer's leadership style emphasizes coaching and mentorship, fostering a collaborative and driven culinary team. He is adept at organizing and strategizing complex operations, ensuring seamless execution and exceptional guest experiences. Having worked alongside multiple James Beard Award-winning chefs and Forbes Four-Star rated establishments, Chef Lauer possesses a deep understanding of refined cuisine and unparalleled service.
Marchesini brings over 25 years of experience in fine dining and wine to Alila Ventana Big Sur. His culinary journey began in his hometown of Southern Italy, where he attended a prestigious hospitality school before refining his skills at world-renowned establishments like the Kulm Hotel in St. Moritz, Palazzo Sasso on the Amalfi Coast, Lume in Bordeaux, Bauer Hotel in Venice, and the Grand Hotel in Rimini. He then deepened his expertise in Rome, becoming a master sommelier, collaborating with Michelin-starred chefs Anthony Genovese and Heinz Beck, and evaluating wines for Gambero Rosso. Seeking new challenges, Giuseppe moved to Toronto where he spearheaded the opening and expansion of Buca Osteria & Enoteca as Head Sommelier and Food and Beverage Director, later opening his own acclaimed restaurant, Il Covo. Prior to Alila Ventana Big Sur, he led operations at the Forbes 5-star Meadowood Napa Valley. With a passion for gastronomy, he's eager to immerse himself in the unique culinary landscape of California's Central Coast.
Alila Ventana Big Sur, the intimate luxury retreat nestled in the heart of California's breathtaking Big Sur coastline, is pleased to announce the appointment of Matt Skaletsky as its new General Manager. A seasoned hospitality professional with over two decades of experience, Skaletsky brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the iconic Big Sur resort.
Alila Ventana Big Sur, an intimate luxury retreat along the Pacific Coast Highway, is pleased to announce the appointment of Alan Kwan as the new Executive Chef. In this role, Chef Alan will oversee daily operations and menu curation at The Sur House - the dining centerpiece of the resort perched high above the trees, with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean - along with culinary offerings for groups and weddings, poolside menus, and in-room dining. With over 20 years of experience in the luxury hotel industry and vast background working both internationally and in major cities across the United States, Chef Kwan brings a globally-minded perspective to his kitchen to further elevate the Alila Ventana Big Sur guest experience through an innovative culinary approach.
Alila Ventana Big Sur, an intimate luxury retreat along the Pacific Coast Highway, is pleased to announce the appointment of Will Brandon as the new Area Director of Sales and Marketing for Alila Ventana Big Sur. With over a decade of experience in the luxury hospitality industry, Brandon is dedicated to cultivating a culture of well-being, diversity, equity, and inclusion to his team - while bringing a wealth of knowledge, management experience and dynamic leadership to his new role at Alila Ventana Big Sur.
Ventana Big Sur is pleased to announce the appointment of Anthony Duggan as area vice president and general manager. Duggan brings an impressive resume of roles with some of the most beloved and respected luxury hospitality brands in the country, from AMAN to L'Auberge, to Ventana Big Sur.
Ventana Big Sur, an Alila Resort, has appointed hospitality veteran Onal Kucuk as general manager of the award-winning luxury Big Sur resort. Kucuk, who brings nearly 20 years of boutique hotel and resort experience from across the country, will guide daily and long-term operations for Ventana Big Sur.
Ventana Big Sur, the celebrated California resort perched at the edge of the continent overlooking the Pacific coastline, announced a multimillion-dollar re-imagination to coincide with a fall 2017 reopening. The intimate 59-room resort will introduce distinctive experiences that invite guests to discover, inspire and create.
International lifestyle company Two Roads Hospitality today announced the expansion of Alila Hotels & Resorts into North America. Singapore-based Alila, which became part of the Two Roads Hospitality portfolio in June 2015 and was recently voted the No. 4 Hotel Brand in the 2017 Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards, will open its first North American resort property in California's fabled Big Sur in fall 2017. The launch brings the brand's commitment to innovative design and luxury, crafted artisanship and personalized hospitality to the U.S. market.
The Restaurant at Ventana has announced the appointment of a new executive chef, Truman Jones, who brings more than 15 years of experience working for Michelin-starred, chef-driven restaurants, many within luxury hotels nationally and internationally. In early June, Jones unveiled completely revamped lunch and dinner menus for the restaurant, as well as a special farmer's market menu that changes daily to showcase local, seasonal foodstuffs from Central Coast farms, foragers, and markets. The restaurant, formerly known as Cielo, relaunched in September 2009 as the crowning touch to a $26 million property-wide renovation. It emerged from extensive renovations after being damaged in a structural fire in August 2008. In his new role, Jones will oversee Ventana's entire food and beverage program, including The Restaurant at Ventana, The Bistro, in-room dining, and catering. More...
Prior to joining Ventana Inn & Spa, Koch, 37, served as marketing director for the San Luis Obispo County (Calif.) Visitors & Convention Bureau; marketing communications manager for Sea Island Resorts in Sea Island, Ga.; senior account executive for Hunter Public Relations-Special Events in Pebble Beach, Calif.; and public relations assistant and sales associate for Resort at Squaw Creek in Olympic Valley, Calif., at the foot of Squaw Valley USA. After hosting quiet couple retreats since its debut in 1975, the resort this year opened its doors for the first time to small meeting groups. A recent property-wide $18 million renovation at Ventana featured the addition of new meeting space, which now, according to Koch, allows the resort to serve as “a memorably tranquil setting and experience” for executive retreats, high-powered sales meetings and corporate strategy sessions for anywhere from 12 to 120 attendees. Koch attended college at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She resides in Carmel.