Excelsior Springs, Missouri, (February 9, 2023) – The Elms Hotel and Spa, a part of the Destination by Hyatt portfolio, is pleased to announce the appointment of Christian Arriaga as Executive Chef. In his new role, Arriaga will lead the historic property’s signature Three Owls restaurant, curating specialty menus and overseeing banquet events, The Tavern, Cafe Soterian, and oversee the culinary team as a whole.
Before joining The Elms Hotel & Spa team, Arriaga was most recently at the Hyatt Regency Dallas Fort-Worth (DFW), serving as the Executive Sous Chef since 2020 and as the Chef de Cuisine beginning in 2017. During this time at the Hyatt Regency DFW, Arriaga oversaw five culinary outlets including a three meal service restaurant, a bar and a specialty restaurant where he gained crucial management experience, honed his skills in the banquet space, and revamped the property’s dining outlets throughout the pandemic.
“It is our pleasure to welcome Chef Christian Arriaga to The Elms,” says the hotel’s General Manager, Jessica Higginbotham. “With his extensive experience in both the culinary and hospitality industries, Christian will bring an exciting new flair to our restaurants specially curated menus and to future banquet experiences on-site.”
Chef Arriaga was born in Coahuila, Mexico and moved to San Francisco at 13 where he got his start in the industry as a dishwasher. It was during his first kitchen job that Arriaga discovered his love for cooking. His early career consisted of several positions including prep cook, line cook, and kitchen lead. Arriaga is excited for the next chapter at The Elms Hotel & Spa and comes to Missouri alongside his wife and three beloved children.
