The Carillon Hotel & Spa, a beachfront boutique hotel and luxury spa in Miami Beach, has announced that Johann Friedrich “Fritz” Zwahlen has joined the resort as Vice President and Executive Chef. Mr. Zwahlen will oversee food and beverage operations at the resort, including the revamping and expanding of current menu offerings.
Mr. Zwahlen has more than 25 years as an executive chef, of which 21 years were served in the luxury resort industry. Prior to joining The Carillon Hotel & Spa, Mr. Zwahlen held various executive level roles at the Amanresorts over the last 17 years, most recently at the Amanyara in the Turks and Caicos Islands. At the Amanyara, Mr. Zwahlen was responsible for overseeing the resort’s entire food and beverage operation, including bespoke culinary programs for the property’s privately-owned villas, each of which feature individual food and beverage programs. During his tenure, he recruited, trained and guided numerous well-known chefs, as well as cooks and stewards. Mr. Zwahlen’s training includes time at three Michelin Star El Celler de can Roca with the Roca Brothers, one Michelin Star Alkimia with Chef Jordi Vila, and one Michelin Star Commerc 24 with Chef Carles Abellan, among others.
“Fritz encompasses all the characteristics we are looking for in an Executive Chef: passionate, creative, knowledgeable, and experienced,” said Lester Scott, Managing Director of The Carillon Hotel & Spa. “Fritz brings to The Carillon Hotel & Spa unparalleled experience and a long list of credentials that we are certain makes him the ideal fit as we create a destination restaurant and enhance other food and beverage offerings at this luxurious resort. Having worked in Michelin-starred restaurants and with world-renowned chefs, Fritz is in touch with the newest and best cooking trends. Additionally, Fritz’s knowledge for health and wellness will help bring an abundance of healthy options made of the highest-quality ingredients to our menu.”
Mr. Zwahlen commented, “I am thrilled to join The Carillon Hotel & Spa at this exciting time for the resort. I look forward to leveraging my background in the luxury resort industry and passion for creative and healthy food to craft an unrivaled, high-quality menu for the benefit of all residents and guests. The Carillon Hotel & Spa team is committed to creating an exceptional experience for our constituents and I am confident that our restaurant and food offerings will ensure our guests have a unique culinary experience.”
Fritz Zwahlen started his career at a number of renowned restaurants in Australia, including the highly reputable Paul Boccuse, Arthurs Seats, and Queensland, culminating as Executive Chef at the prestigious Lizard Island Resort. Following his time in Australia, Mr. Zwahlen joined the Amanresorts as Executive Chef at the Amanpulo in the Philippines for five years and during his tenure at the Amanpulo, won an international award from the Gallivanter’s Guide. In 2004, Mr. Zwahlen took on a new position as head chef for Amanresorts, where he oversaw the opening of two hotels in Sri Lanka, the Amangalla and the Amanwella. After the successful opening of these hotels, Mr. Zwahlen assisted in the opening of the Amanyara in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Over the past several years, Mr. Zwahlen has dedicated two weeks per year for travel to Barcelona to work alongside top chefs, including Carles Abellan and Jordi Vila Rocca Brothers at Michelin-starred restaurants Commerc 24, Alkimia, Cellar de Can Rocca and Zuma.
Mr. Zwahlen received his culinary diploma in Gewerbe Schule Bern, Switzerland and holds certifications from the Chiang Mai Thai Cooking School.
