—Wes Tyler, CEC, CCA, WCMC, CCCD, WSET I, Executive Chef, The Club at Carlton Woods
Meet the Class of 2024: Wes Tyler, CEC, CCA, WCMC, CCCD, WSET I
- Age: 33
- Executive Chef
- The Club at Carlton Woods (The Woodlands, Texas)
Wes Tyler is a student of his craft, always learning and seeking ways to improve. He collaborates effectively with his culinary team, bringing out the best in those he works with. He aims for collective success and is always ready to lend a hand when others are in need. Tyler is a true leader, dedicated to advancing club culinary.
Club + Resort Chef (C+RC): How do you feel about being recognized as one of C+RC's 40 Under 40 honorees, and what significance does this achievement hold for you?
Wes Tyler (WT): Being recognized as one of C+RC's 40 Under 40 is a humbling honor. I am proud to be named alongside some of the best chefs in the industry, and I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. I am most appreciative of the platform it provides for me, to be able to continue pursuing my passion and share my love for culinary arts. The significance of this award for me is overwhelming, and I hope it sheds light and opens the door for other young chefs to see that, through hard work and dedication, they too can become leaders and continue to expand the culinary precincts.
C+RC: What advice would you offer young chefs aiming to excel in the club and resort culinary industry?
WT: Patience, hard work ethic, and dedication are among the key factors to success in this industry. Challenge yourself daily, hone your skillset, and focus on mastering your craft. Create a solid, fundamental foundation and develop key relationships that support your growth both in and out of the kitchen.
C+RC: Can you share a personal challenge you've faced in your career and explain how it has shaped you as a chef?
WT: Early on in my career, I was looking to break into the industry and made the difficult decision to leave my family and friends behind in my hometown of Kentucky. I moved to Texas at 24 and began my career in the club industry, determined to work my way through the ranks in search of success. Throughout this process, I faced many challenges, and eventually humbled myself as I began to reflect on how far I had come. Once I began entering into leadership roles, my focus shifted on helping develop other young chefs as I continued on my personal journey.
Today, I look back and see that, as much as I wanted to embark on my journey alone, I could not have done it without the support of those surrounding me. My focus now as a chef and leader is to help repay my debt and support the growth of the young chefs and culinarians in the industry by providing opportunities, knowledge, and inspiration as they carve out their own path.
C+RC: What are your future goals and your plan to achieve them?
WT: As I explore future goals, I continue to seek challenges for myself on both a personal and career level. I would like to pursue my CMC certification as one of these milestones when the time is right. Additionally, joining the U.S. as a member of the Culinary Olympic Team is another big aspiration I have as I continue to explore industry opportunities and platforms to showcase my skillset. In pursuit of these goals, it is important for me to remain focused and dedicated to achieving them while balancing my current role and responsibilities without compromise. Timing is key, and as I continue to push forward at a steady and consistent pace, I have no doubt that the commitment and desire that fuel these goals will result in their success.
C+RC: What inspired your career in the club and resort sector?
WT: The ability to develop relationships with the members and their families is a great value-add to this sector of the industry. It's a great feeling to know who you're cooking for and to have the opportunity to be a special part of their lives. The work-life balance in clubs also tends to be a bit better and provides some more flexibility when compared to other areas of the industry, so being able to manage work and spend time with family is a great benefit.