About
As the Executive Chef of Loews Coronado Bay Resort, Jesse Llapitan
is at the helm of menu creation and execution across four dining
outlets at the resort along with leading all banquet functions. With
more than 30 years of culinary expertise in some of the world’s finest
hotels, Chef Llapitan brings a deep-rooted passion for creativity and
local flavors to Loews Coronado Bay’s vibrant culinary program.
Before joining Loews Coronado Bay, Chef Llapitan traveled
internationally serving as a brand ambassador for Starwood Group’s
renowned global hospitality brands, including The Luxury Collection
and St. Regis. Prior to that, Chef Llapitan was the Director of Food &
Beverage at the prestigious L’Auberge de Sedona, where he played a
pivotal role during the resort’s renovation. His skills were finely honed
during his tenure as the Senior Regional Executive Chef for Bon
Appétit at Google, where Chef Llapitan spearheaded high-volume
production for more than 73 cafés across the Bay Area. In this role, he
managed initiatives related to food waste, sustainability, global
procurement and behavioral science.
With a career rooted in luxury hospitality, Chef Llapitan has held
leadership positions at renowned hotels and resorts, such as Vail
Cascade Resort in Colorado, Grand Hyatt Wailea Resort & Spa in
Maui, and The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco, among other notable hotel
brands. While at the Palace Hotel, he also oversaw culinary operations
at Ame Michelin-starred restaurant at the St. Regis San Francisco.
Raised on a farm outside of Seattle, Washington, Chef Llapitan’s
culinary roots trace back to his family’s kitchen, where farm-fresh
produce inspired the creation of traditional and flavorful dishes. This
early influence shaped Chef Llapitan’s cooking philosophy,
emphasizing his commitment to using the finest produce, showcasing
local farmers’ talents, and preserving the integrity of the ingredients in
each dish.
A graduate of the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco,
Chef Llapitan sharpened his skillset at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. When
not in the kitchen, he enjoys traveling, running, gardening and
attending concerts.
