Show 210, February 11, 2017: Jean-Jacques Granet, Executive Pastry Chef, Pechanga Resort & Casino

Jean Jacques GranetFriday, February 10th is the always incredible Chocolate Decadence at Pechanga. An eye-popping array of truly decadent chocolates and pastries are featured from the bakeshops of Pechanga’s Executive Pastry Chef, Jean-Jacques Granet.

New this year to the dazzling lineup of treats was edible chocolate lipstick presented in a tube!

Jean-Jacques Granet, an acclaimed pastry chef who has worked on three continents, is the Executive Pastry Chef at Pechanga Resort & Casino. After spending nearly 15 years as pastry chef at two of the most prestigious luxury resorts in Las Vegas, Granet is now happy to call Southern California home.

Chef Jean-Jacques arrived at Pechanga in March 2015 and has implemented positive changes to the 22-person in-house bakery and pastry shop. He has changed the lineup of desserts offered at Journey’s End golf course restaurant, The Great Oak Steakhouse, Paisano’s Italian restaurant and Umi Sushi & Oyster Bar.

He’s always working on improvements to the desserts and pastries offered at Blends Coffee & Wine Bar. Ongoing is efforts with each of the 11 dining outlets and banquets departments to fulfill and exceed  guests’ expectations in the sweets’ department. Two new restaurants (including a poolside bar & grill establishment) are on the way which will debut with the major hotel expansion by year’s end.

Chef Jean-Jacques puts down his whisk briefly to join us.

Show 200, December 3, 2016: Jean-Jacques Granet, Executive Pastry Chef, Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula

Jean Jacques GranetThe Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula has a long Holiday tradition of baking and decorating eye-catching gingerbread houses for sale at a very reasonable price until Christmas to their appreciative guests.

“This holiday season, housing starts inside of one southern California casino/resort will more than double after last year’s sales numbers topped expectations. Pechanga Resort & Casino’s in-house bakery team is preparing, constructing and decorating hand-crafted gingerbread houses and offering them to prospective buyers at a nominal cost for home ownership. These units, which may be purchased individually or several at a time to create neighborhood continuity, come fully loaded and turnkey for gift giving, or for hanging onto for one’s own sweet tooth satisfying gratification.”

“Those looking for a brand new gingerbread home can find them in easily accessed locations at the 24-hour Caffe Cocoa inside the popular Temptations Food Walk at Pechanga or at Blends Coffee & Wine Bar just inside the Pechanga Hotel Lobby. Each home features distinct décor and amenities such as hand-drawn insulation (icing) and real curb appeal with colorful holiday sweet treats lining the outside. If buyers are careful transporting the homes, no insurance is required, property tax is waived and goodwill equity can be earned by giving one of the Pechanga gingerbread homes to someone else. These handmade gingerbread houses come in 10-inch by six-inch floor plan for $35. They will be on the market until Christmas, or until all units have been snapped up by buyers.”

The annual Chocolate Decadence Festival is coming up of Friday evening, February 10, 2016.

Pechanga’s acclaimed Executive Pastry Chef, Jean-Jacques Granet (he has worked on three continents) joins us with all the sweet details.

Show 99, November 29, 2014: Executive Chef Duane Owen, Pechanga Resort & Casino

Duane Owen of Pechanga Casino and ResortChef Duane Owen, formerly the executive chef of both The MGM Grand at Foxwoods and Foxwoods Resort Casino, is now the exec for Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula. It was just announced that in 2015 construction will start on a new 548 room (2nd) hotel tower, a new Vegas-style pool & spa, and two more restaurants.

Chef Duane joins us to explain how you deliver consistent quality when your vast restaurant portfolio ranges from a busy buffet to the high-end Great Oak Steakhouse. The Pechanga Buffet served over 3,400 satisfied diners on Thanksgiving.

He also discusses the success of the new UMI Sushi & Oyster Bar which opened in December of last year as part of the hotel lobby renovation which also included the addition of the casual blends Coffee & Wine Bar.