Big Sur, Calif. (June 7, 2019) – Ventana Big Sur, an Alila Resort, has appointed Keith Potter as executive chef of the celebrated luxury resort tucked between towering redwood trees and the California coastline in Big Sur. Potter, who brings over 15 years of culinary experience at acclaimed restaurants in Chicago, will oversee all food and beverage operations for the 59-room resort including its signature indoor-outdoor restaurant, The Sur House.
“I could not be more thrilled to join the team at Ventana Big Sur, a premier culinary destination in California,” said Potter. “California’s abundance of fresh, high-quality ingredients is so inspiring, and I look forward to creating unforgettable dining experiences that showcase the level of excellence which Ventana Big Sur is known for.”
Potter most recently served as chef de cuisine at Cindy’s Restaurant, a popular rooftop restaurant overlooking Lake Michigan at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel in Chicago, Ill. Previously, Potter was sous chef at Perennial Virant at Hotel Lincoln in Chicago, which was named to the Michelin Guide’s 2013 Bib Gourmand list. His additional culinary experience in Chicago includes serving as executive sous chef at Park Hyatt Chicago’s Michelin-starred NoMi Kitchen and working under Chef Bill Kim at Belly Shack.
Chef Potter received his culinary training at the Illinois Institute of Art. He is currently a nominee for Hyatt’s Culinary Leader of the Year award and is a 2013 recipient of Hyatt’s Rising Star of the Year award. When not helming the kitchen, Potter enjoys cycling, hiking, yoga and reading military history.
A hilltop resort overlooking Big Sur’s rugged coastline, Ventana Big Sur is tucked among towering redwoods and meadows along California’s most iconic stretch of Highway 1. The resort invites guests to get away from it all with mind-body-soul experiences including meditation, art classes, guided hiking excursions, photography workshops and more. In addition to luxury resort accommodations, the resort offers a rustic-luxury twist on traditional camping with 15 safari-style, canvas tents in its Redwood Canyon Glampsites.
