SANTA FE, N.M. – September 8, 2016 – Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado, set among 57 acres of and located 10 minutes from downtown Santa Fe, announces the appointment of Kai Autenrieth as Executive Chef. In his first Executive Chef role in the U.S., Autenrieth will oversee the resort’s Terra restaurant, one of Santa Fe’s premier dining destinations serving contemporary American cuisine while incorporating New Mexican influences, along with the in-room dining menu for the 65-casita resort and the resort’s popular Chef’s Table.
Chef Autenrieth will bring a distinct global perspective and command of international flavor profiles to Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado building upon a culinary trajectory of 19 years that has traversed Tanzania, Saint Lucia, Australia, St. Maarten, Bermuda and the U.K. Most recently Chef Autenrieth was Executive Sous Chef at Four Seasons Resort Nevis in the West Indies where he spent three and a half years honing his skills in fine dining with a special focus on locally-sourced seafood and hands-on guest experiences such as diving for lobsters followed by interactive cooking classes.
“Chef Kai’s passion and curiosity for international fare is perfectly suited for Santa Fe’s vibrant multi-cultural culinary scene,” said Meredith MacFarlane, general manager, Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado. “We are excited to welcome him to Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado where his fresh look at regional ingredients will bring revitalized menus to the resort we know our guests and locals will love.”
Chef Autenrieth’s extensive knowledge and training in a number of cuisines including European, South American, Caribbean, Asian and African will be on display as he merges his global take with regional ingredients including corn, honey, chilies and more to create a locally driven menu while paying tribute to New Mexican culinary traditions and Southwestern influences. The resort’s herb and vegetable garden will also be a source of inspiration, which will serve as the location of Terra’s popular Chef’s Table offering a dynamic dining experience for guests.
His curiosity and love of food began as a child where he foraged for mushrooms in the forests outside of Munich. He attended culinary school in Bad Wörishofen, Germany and his first professional experiences were as a pastry chef in Switzerland. Chef Autenrieth is joined by his wife and child in Santa Fe where they are eager to explore the destination’s unique landscapes, art and culture.
