Rio Grande, Puerto Rico – The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort is delighted to announce the appointment of Javier Felipe Arango Salazar as Executive Chef of the beloved resort. Boasting extensive knowledge of the culinary and hospitality industry, Chef Arango brings a wealth of experience and artistic flavor to his new role at The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, where he will oversee the culinary direction for the resort.
Born and raised in Bogota, Columbia to a family of professional artists, Chef Arango’s interest in the culinary arts began at a young age when he started to view cuisine as a form of artistic expression. Chef Arango studied gastronomy at Escuela Superior de Hosteleria de Sevilla in Spain, where his gastronomic journey flourished while studying and working alongside Michelin star chefs including Julio Fernandez, Paco Perez and Sergi Arolaat. In 2010, Chef Arango was appointed Chef de Cuisine at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Arts Barcelona, where he oversaw a team of seven people and mastered the intricacies of the kitchen. Chef Arango remained with The Ritz-Carlton for thirteen years, occupying positions including Chef de Cuisine at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, Executive Sous Chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne Miami, Executive Chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Bal Harbour, as well as Executive Chef for The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest, Hungary. Most recently, Chef Arango served as the Executive Sous Chef at the JW Marriott Absheron in Baku, Azerbaijan.
In his new role at The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Chef Arango will elevate the dining experience for guests and locals alike. He will oversee the resort’s distinct culinary venues including Paros, the signature fine dining restaurant, offering refined contemporary Greek cuisine in a stylish and relaxed setting, The St. Regis Bar, an intimate space to savor a delectable menu of light small bites alongside an Old Fashioned or classic Bloody Mary cocktail, and Seagrapes, which is located next to the resort’s main pool, and offers a varied menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner with indoor and outdoor seating.
The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort recently debuted an extensive $60 million renovation following Hurricane Maria. The renovation touches every guestroom and suite, Casa Grande, the heart of the resort where guests enjoy The St. Regis Bar and Paros, the property’s signature restaurant, the seaside pool and esplanade, and the Iridium Spa. Each space and room underwent a ground-up transformation, redefined and reimagined by celebrated Puerto Rican designer Nono Maldonado together with Hirsch Bedner Associates of San Francisco. The 139 refurbished rooms and suites boast a light, modern and organic aesthetic, inspired by the property’s surrounding sea, sand and foliage. Since its debut, the property has set a new standard for hospitality in Puerto Rico, welcoming travelers from around the globe seeking sun, relaxation and culture in one of the world’s most beautiful and vibrant destinations. Located on a former coconut plantation and situated between the El Yunque National Forest and Espíritu Santo River State Preserve, the property is set on 483 acres and is the only Gold-certified Audubon Signature Sanctuary in Puerto Rico. The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort’s features include: private bird sanctuaries; an on-site “green team” led by a marine biologist; St. Regis’ legendary Butler Service; an ocean-front golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.; and an Iridium Spa. Guests of the resort can simply relax by the pool or sunbathe on the beach, while more active travelers can choose from activities such as kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, wind surfing, fishing, nature walks, hiking, biking, tennis and much more.
For press inquiries, please contact Meg Connolly Communications, 212.505.8200 or meg@mcc-pr.com.
