Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa, a member of Marriott International’s Autograph Collection of upscale independent hotels, has announced the appointment of Carmen Rodriguez as Executive Chef. Stepping into his sixth leadership assignment in a distinguished 20-year career, Rodriguez is responsible for all resort culinary operations including menu development for BIN189 and Magnum Private Dining Room, as well as in-room dining, banqueting and catering.
Rodriguez arrived at Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa from Crescent Resorts and Hotels in Fairfax, Virginia, where he spent the past year as Task Force Executive Chef. Previously, his career played out between hotels, resorts and independent restaurants, and at educational institutions and community-focused philanthropic organizations.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Chef Rodriguez to Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa,” said Food & Beverage Director John Lee. “It will be exciting to see how he evolves the resort’s well-recognized culinary program with his creativity and innovation in the kitchen, and how he enhances the Lake Arrowhead community, as he is passionate about philanthropy.” For plans on the direction for the new menu, Rodriguez said, “John Lee and I are working on bringing the mountain back to the menu incorporating the richness of the Lake Arrowhead community into food people will enjoy.”
Rodriguez’s career in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is particularly noteworthy, with positions at or near the top of the kitchen at La Posada de Santa Fe Resort and Spa; Saffron of Santa Fe Catering; the Bishop’s Lodge Ranch Resort and Spa; Las Campanas Resort Community; Pranzo Italian Grill, CinemaCafe; Links de Santa Fe and Mark Miller’s Coyote Café. He also worked for several years educating the next generation of culinary talent as a Chef and Instructor at Santa Fe School of Cooking and Santa Fe Community College.
Beyond all of the above, Rodriguez was very involved in local community activities, from work as the culinary coordinator for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northern New Mexico to sitting on the board of directors of The Food Depot of the Northern New Mexico Food Bank, and more. His dedication to both his work in the kitchen and within the community has not gone unnoticed: In 2012, Rodriguez was named “Chef of the Year” by the New Mexico Restaurant Association.
Rodriguez’ ties to the Santa Fe community will continue, with his current project work with the Jambo Kids Foundation, founded by close friend Ahmed Obo, to build and open a hospital in Lemu, Africa.
