Show 428, June 5, 2021: Executive Sous Chef Patrick Contreras, Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage

Patrick Contreras at 360 Sports inside of Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage

Last week we spoke with Executive Chef Kenneth Williams who oversees the diverse dining options at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage. We’re picking up the conversation with Chef Ken’s Executive Sous Chef, Patrick Contreras.

Now we’re concentrating on the casual, full-service Waters Café serving Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Happy Hour, and The District (fast casual service,) offering an array of regional cuisines from Mexican (La Olla Mexican Cuisine) to a selection of Asian (Jade Asian Cuisine) and delicatessen foods (ACE Deli.) ACE Deli is open 23 hours per day. Waters Café also handles Room Service for the 340-room Resort Hotel.

Executive Sous Chef Patrick Contreras joins us with tongs securely in hand.

Show 239, September 2, 2017: Executive Chef / Proprietor Rocco Whalen, Fahrenheit, Cleveland and Charlotte, NC Part Two

Rocco WhalenCleveland’s other popular celebrity chef, “Rocco Whalen, if nothing else, is wrapped up in the love of cooking: the idea and vitality of it, the doing of it, the invention and sustainability of it, the day-to-day enrichment of it, and, ultimately and significantly, the memory of learning all about it from his mother.

“Friends and acquaintances were not surprised by Rocco’s success with the original Fahrenheit in Cleveland. He had made an impact as a chef at Blue Point, had brought with him to that restaurant and to the opening of Fahrenheit, a quality product – innovative, unique, and a menu that was affordable. He had learned, also, during his years with Puck, the importance of managing an ambiance that guests, both suburbanites and neighbors, would immediately feel comfortable in; that was genuinely guest friendly.”

Fahrenheit (Charlotte, NC) is situated above the Skye Condos on the 21st Floor. The restaurant features unparalleled views of the Queen City. Also featured on the roof are linear fire pits, a social pool and seasonal herb garden. Fahrenheit provides Room Service for the Skye Condos and the adjacent Hyatt Place Hotel.

Fortunately Chef Rocco hasn’t forgotten the Los Angeles culinary community. He was just out here on July 30th for the annual Stu & The Kids Benefit at Vibiana. On Saturday, September 9th he’s back here in Westwood as one of the participating celebrity chefs in the 8th Annual L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade Culinary Cookout.

Show 27, May 4, 2013: Keith Roberts, Executive Chef of the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel in Santa Monica

Keith Roberts of the Loews Santa Monica Beach HotelChef Roberts, a journeyman executive chef, has overseen all aspects of the busy foodservice operation at this 342-room beachfront luxury hotel for over three years. He has years of prior luxury hotel experience as well as fine dining destination restaurant cooking in his extensive background.

Since its opening the property has always enjoyed a reputation as a destination for quality dining with an unmatched ocean view. Over the years high-profile chefs have been in its kitchens. Chef Keith is responsible for all the food provided for banquets, weddings and special events, room service, and the hotel’s signature ocean view restaurant, Ocean & Vine.

Santa Monica is known nationally for their trend-setting Wednesday and Saturday Farmers Markets. In the Summer Chef Keith conducts tours of the local Farmers Markets for select, fortunate hotel guests and then prepares a special lunch for them featuring ingredients from the Market.

Chef Keith is a mentor for high school culinary arts students through the Careers through Culinary Arts Program. Loews graciously hosted The 19th Annual C-CAP L.A. Scholarship Awards Breakfast at the Hotel on Monday, May 6th.

On the Ocean & Vine Spring menu we recommend the Farmers Market Field Greens (which changes weekly based on what’s fresh & available) and the California Crab Cake Sliders. Both ideal for the beach…