BANGKOK – April 28, 2016 – Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas is delighted to announce executive chef appointments at two of the brand’s popular Asian resorts. Rick Gonzalez has been appointed Executive Chef at Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain in China and Conny Andersson has been appointed Executive Chef at Six Senses Yao Noi in Thailand.
Chef Rick Gonzalez comes to Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain following previous roles at the recently opened Six Senses Douro Valley in Portugal and with Six Senses Zil Pasyon in the Seychelles, opening Fall 2016.
A graduate of the Institut Hôtelier César Ritz in Switzerland, Chef Gonzalez began his career in New York City in 1989 with the restaurant Adrienne at Hotel Maxim’s de Paris. This was followed by culinary stints at Maurice restaurant with three Michelin star Chef Marc Haeberlin, The Peninsula Hotel in New York and the Four Seasons Resort in Palm Beach.
Gonzalez also served as Executive Chef at Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort in Costa Rica after which he opened his own restaurant featuring modern Latino cuisine in Cleveland, Ohio. During the last 15 years he worked with many world renowned chefs including Jean Michel Diot, Jacques Chibois, Marc Haeberlin, Hubert Des Marais and Douglas Rodriguez.
“We are delighted to welcome Rick to the Six Senses team in China,” said Manish Puri, general manager of Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain. “With his passion and extensive travels throughout his career, we believe that he will offer unparalleled dining experiences to our guests.”
Chef Conny Andersson will be overseeing food and beverage operations at Six Senses Yao Noi. In addition to this role, he also has held the responsibility of Group Executive Chef for Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas.
Chef Andersson is no stranger to the Six Senses family and has previously held the role of Executive Chef for Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain. He has spent the last five years working in China, Vietnam, and Malaysia at renowned kitchens of the MGM Grand and The Datai. He directed a wide spectrum of cuisines that included Cantonese, Vietnamese, Asian Eclectic, Japanese, Thai, Indian and Malay in addition to traditional international Western.
Chef Andersson’s international career took off after he relocated to the United States from his native Gothenburg in Sweden. After a period as chef de partie at L’Orangerie in Los Angeles, which was voted as a Top Three Restaurant in the United States, he joined Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and spent the next 18 years in Nevis, West Indies; Bali, Indonesia; Cairo, Egypt and the famed Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, California.
On the celebrity chef front, Chef Andersson has co-written a cookbook with Actor Morgan Freeman and he has cooked on the Oprah Winfrey Show, The View, and The Today show in the United States. Twice he has been a guest chef with Crystal Cruises and was voted Chef of the Year by Club Culinaire of French Cuisine Los Angeles.
“We are delighted to welcome Conny at Six Senses Yao Noi,” commented Graham Grant, general manager of Six Senses Yao Noi. "Conny’s tremendous wealth of experience and knowledge is key for the continued growth of the culinary team, taking our culinary experiences to new heights.”
Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain is superbly set at the picturesque gateway to China’s majestic Qing Cheng Mountains, Six Senses has created a resort to compliment the UNESCO World Heritage & Natural Cultural site at nearby Dujangan. 113 guest accommodations ranging from semi-detached suites in duplex villas with balconies and verandas to courtyard suites, garden and pool villas. Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain offers several dining outlets, renowned Six Senses Spa and an array of interesting outdoor activities.
Six Senses Yao Noi sets the highest benchmark for island resort living in Asia. The attention to detail and focus on the unique destination reinforces the brand’s commitment to sustainability. Located on a small island in awesome Phang Nga Bay, Six Senses Yao Noi gives a sense of privacy and adventure. Natural vegetation and lush landscaping provide privacy between the 55 elevated Pool Villa accommodations, which offer generous personal space, a variety of views and present an uncompromised lifestyle.
