Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach, California Elevates Culinary Excellence With New Chef Appointments

Published on September 17, 2025

Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club successful Dana Point, California, is ushering successful a caller section of culinary excellence. With nan assignment of 2 exceptional chefs, Chef Steve Benjamin and Chef Nicole Encarnacion, nan luxury edifice is group to elevate its renowned eating experiences. Both chefs bring years of world expertise and a shared committedness to refined cuisine, creativity, and exceptional service.

Chef Steve Benjamin: A Michelin-Star Visionary Takes nan Lead

Chef Steve Benjamin, a Michelin-starred culinary master, has joined Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach arsenic nan head of culinary. With astir 25 years of experience, Chef Benjamin’s profession is defined by method precision and culinary artistry. Originally from Paris, Chef Benjamin’s travel began astatine property 14 nether nan mentorship of nan legendary Joël Robuchon. His exceptional accomplishment and activity earned him prestigious roles, including executive cook astatine nan MGM Grand successful Las Vegas, wherever his edifice earned a Michelin star.

As a Master Chef of France and victor of nan Food Network’s “Chopped” successful 2013, Chef Benjamin is known for his expertise to blend classical French techniques pinch modern innovation. His passion for culinary excellence and mentorship will importantly heighten nan resort’s eating program. As nan head of culinary, he will oversee each eating venues astatine Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach, ensuring each acquisition meets nan highest standards while fostering a civilization of productivity and operational excellence.

Chef Nicole Encarnacion: Leading Bourbon Steak to New Heights

In different pivotal move, Chef Nicole Encarnacion has been promoted to executive cook of Bourbon Steak Orange County, nan resort’s signature steakhouse. With complete 15 years of luxury hospitality experience, Chef Encarnacion is well-equipped to lead nan culinary team. A postgraduate of Le Cordon Bleu, she has honed her skills successful kitchens crossed Europe and nan United States.

Before her promotion, Chef Encarnacion was nan Chef de Cuisine astatine AVEO Table + Bar astatine Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach, wherever she was celebrated for her activity and exceptional impermanent service. Her Filipino practice and world acquisition style her attack to cuisine, focusing connected bold flavors and section sourcing. Her promotion is simply a important milestone for female activity successful nan good eating industry, arsenic women are still underrepresented successful executive cook roles, particularly wrong steakhouse kitchens.

A Boost for Tourism and Local Economy

The caller culinary activity astatine Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach is poised to importantly effect tourism successful nan region. As nan edifice elevates its eating program, it will pull culinary enthusiasts, nutrient critics, and visitors seeking exceptional eating experiences. With nan resort’s committedness to showcasing section ingredients and creating unforgettable eating experiences, it is well-positioned to further cement its position arsenic a premier destination for luxury recreation successful Southern California.

The resort’s attraction connected refined eating will not only heighten nan impermanent acquisition but besides boost section tourism. Dana Point, known for its picturesque coastline and scenic vistas, will pull much visitors eager to acquisition nan resort’s caller culinary offerings. As culinary tourism continues to grow, Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach’s finance successful its eating programme aligns perfectly pinch broader trends successful luxury travel.

The Future of Culinary Excellence astatine Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach

With a refreshed culinary imagination nether nan activity of Chef Benjamin and Chef Encarnacion, Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach is mounting nan shape for a caller era successful luxury dining. The resort’s divers offerings will entreaty to visitors seeking innovative cuisine and impeccable service. Whether enjoying a beachfront eating acquisition aliases indulging successful a world-class steakhouse meal, guests tin expect nan highest modular of hospitality.

Guests visiting nan edifice will person nan chance to acquisition not only exceptional nutrient but besides an unparalleled level of service. The Waldorf Astoria marque is known for its timeless elegance and blase offerings, and this caller guidance successful eating will undoubtedly heighten its reputation. The dedication to excellence, creativity, and diverseness successful nan room will make Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach a sought-after destination for nutrient lovers and visitors alike.

Elevating Dana Point’s Tourism

Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club continues to push nan boundaries of luxury recreation pinch its committedness to culinary excellence. The assignment of Chef Steve Benjamin and nan promotion of Chef Nicole Encarnacion correspond nan resort’s dedication to providing guests pinch a world-class eating experience. As nan edifice continues to turn and evolve, it is judge to pull visitors from astir nan world eager to bask nan finest coastal cuisine Southern California has to offer.