Meet The Chefs Of Jean-Georges Vongerichten's Debut West Coast Restaurant Slideshow
Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten
One of the world's most successful chefs, restaurateurs, and cookbook authors, chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten now has 37 restaurants and bars around the globe, including the remarkable three-Michelin-star Jean Georges in New York City. (See how he ranked among The Daily Meal's wealthiest chefs.)
Vongerichten will create the menus for all three food and drink venues in the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills as well as for the hotel's room service. The signature fine-dining menu for Jean-Georges Beverly Hills spotlights Jean-Georges' famous French-American cuisine and seasonal farm-to-table fare, with South American and European accents thrown in. The Rooftop by JG combines casual dining with 360-degree views of Beverly Hills, while Jean-Georges Beverly Hills Bar offers craft cocktails and appetizers in a friendly space of its own.
Executive Chef Steve Benjamin
Working under Jean-Georges Vongerichten at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills' new eating and drinking establishments — Jean-Georges Beverly Hills, The Rooftop by JG, and Jean-Georges Beverly Hills Bar — is executive chef Steve Benjamin. The Paris-born chef comes to the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills after helming the Michelin-starred kitchen at L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for over a decade. Benjamin's association with Robuchon began in 2002, when he trained under the famed "Chef of the Century" at the Astor Hotel in Paris.
Benjamin and Vongerichten will source foods locally via partnerships with local farms and weekly visits to the Santa Monica Farmers Market. "We believe that a local focus adds another level of freshness and innovation to every dish we serve," says Benjamin.
Chef de Cuisine Richard Archuleta
The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills' chef de cuisine, Richard Archuleta, is another veteran of the Joël Robuchon family of restaurants in Las Vegas. The SoCal native most recently served as senior sous chef at the three-Michelin-starred Joël Robuchon at the MGM Grand Las Vegas. Before that, he worked with Vongerichten for six years as the executive sous chef at Jean-Georges Steakhouse at Aria Resort and Casino, also in Las Vegas.
Executive Pastry Chef Deden Putra
This fine dining experience would be complete without the contributions of new Jean-Georges Beverly Hills team member Deden Putra, who will serve as executive pastry chef. Putra makes his sweet return to Los Angeles from his baking stint at The Peninsula New York. Previously, he created his extraordinary desserts at the Jumeirah Essex House New York and at the Beverly Wilshire Beverly Hills.
General Manager Diego Ruiz de Porras
The man in charge of keeping all the balls in the air and seating VIPs at the best tables is the general manager, Diego Ruiz de Porras. The longtime Beverly Hills hospitality pro now oversees Jean-Georges Beverly Hills after serving as the restaurant director of The Belvedere at the Peninsula Hotel Beverly Hills and the manager of the legendary Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
Located adjacent to the Beverly Hilton on the corner of Wilshire and Santa Monica boulevards in Beverly Hills, the 12-story hotel is the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts' first new build on the West Coast, joining the Waldorf Astoria portfolio of 24 hotels and resorts. Take a peek with The Daily Meal's hotel preview.