Club + Resort Chef’s annual 40 Under 40 list recognizes young, outstanding culinary talent in the club and resort industry. Below are the 2024 honorees.
Luis Young
"Recognizing that the journey resembles a roller coaster, with highs and lows, is essential."
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Stephen Valenti
"Working at a club is an excellent way to learn different cuisines and techniques."
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Wes Tyler
“My focus is to help repay my debt and support the growth of the young chefs and culinarians in the industry.”
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Mario Trujillo
"Building a supportive and nurturing environment where individuals can thrive and grow is paramount to me."
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Vanessa Tristan
"Overcoming habits is hard, but it is okay to start over and learn new ways to get the job done."
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Drew Tait
"Be a sponge to everything around you. Set long-term and short-term goals that keep you progressing."
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Geoffrey Sowl
"Offering exciting experiences and introducing new dishes can ignite passion in our members."
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Ray Silva
"Embrace the ideology of hospitality with every fiber of your being. You always want to serve your guests."
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Michael Shannon
"If you work for a chef who pushes you towards these opportunities and mentors you, stay with them."
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Pedro Sanchez
"The beginning is hard, with long hours and low pay, but with time, everything improves."
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Cynthia Romstadt
"I have built a team whose focus is providing the best possible experience for members.”
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Yafreicy Rodriguez
“Seek a chef or mentor who is willing to invest in you, your career, and your future.”
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Christopher Reichart
"Try to learn something every day, whether mastering a new skill or refining an existing one."
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Bill Paronish
"Maturing has changed me. Developing my staff and building a team has become a top priority."
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Jesus Olmedo
"I will never ask anyone in my kitchen to do anything I am not capable of or willing to do myself."
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Shawn Olah
"Learn early not to take things personally, especially during peak service times."
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Ryan O’Sullivan
"I’ve missed a lot to follow my dreams, but it wasn’t time wasted. I’m where I’m supposed to be."
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J. Daniel Montano
"Surrounding myself with a trustworthy team is essential, but first this team has to be built."
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Erica Medina
"When your team can see your passion and dedication, you will be amazed at what you can achieve."
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Carlos Matos
"Work hard with heart and passion. Always set a goal to be better than yesterday. Learn from your mentors."
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Jared Masters
"It's not a requirement to bounce around the country just to put places on your resume."
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Nicholas Marchesano
"Passing knowledge through the mentor/mentee relationship is easily the greatest culinary institution."
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Jeremy Leinen
"Changing my mindset has made me focus on the trends and not get too high or low over any one moment."
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Carlos Lechuga
"Learning how to deal with immense pressure early in my career has has helped me throughout."
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Tony Le
"I believe that no one of us is as good as all of us. This allows me to be more informed and inclusive."
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Geoffrey Lanez
"Rather than giving up when I face a challenge, I try to extract lessons from the obstacles."
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Hyewon Kwon
"The start was challenging ... but my determination turned those challenges into stepping stones."
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Kevin Keller
"Ask questions. Chances are some others are thinking the same thing but are too afraid to ask."
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Adam Jemmott
"There's always a higher level to strive for, even when we think we've reached the pinnacle."
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Robert Iannaccone
"Once I couldn't do it myself, I had to get better at directing, organizing, and teaching."
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Ian Guthrie
"One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is teaching and fostering respect in the next generation."
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Rebecca Freeman
"I let my work speak for itself. Put in the hours. You will see results if you do the work."
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Chloe Dykes
"What matters most is the way we move forward and solve problems. It's crucial not to let [problems] adversely impact you or your team."
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Devin D. Cowan
"People were shocked I could create and execute the way I do … I would never argue about my ability; I just showed them what I was capable of."
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Vincent Capua
"Never give up...Sometimes, you don’t get the results you want, but keep pushing every day to make things better."
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Anthony J. Capua, IV
"If you're not failing, you're not trying. The path to success is filled with setbacks and failures; embrace them and learn from them."
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Devonnare Burgos
"Respect, humility, observation and patience go a long way. It’s not just about your skills; it's also about how you carry yourself and treat others."
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Matthew D. Blazey
"Understanding what you want is critical, but knowing when you’re truly ready trumps all. Don't be afraid to take your time."
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William Andraca
"Immerse yourselves in learning, practice good fundamentals, and embrace every challenge as an opportunity for growth."
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Jesus Aguilar
"Whether a situation works out or not, the experience and satisfaction of trying is invaluable and can never be taken away."
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