Former Chef de Cuisine Takes Helm of the Iconic Waterfront Resort
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., June 2015 – Balboa Bay Resort announced the appointment of Rachel Haggstrom to executive chef of the luxurious Newport Beach resort. Haggstrom has been serving as the property’s chef de cuisine since October 2013.
In her new role, Haggstrom will oversee the resort’s dining restaurants, including Waterline Newport Beach, the resort’s signature bay front seafood restaurant and A&O Kitchen+Bar, the resort’s waterfront gastropub. Haggstrom will also manage the resort’s day-to-day culinary operations, including special events, galas and weddings.
“Rachel has been instrumental in spearheading the development and implementation of the resort’s culinary programs,” said Sam El-Rabaa, general manager of Balboa Bay Resort. “Her depth of knowledge and extraordinary experience, both at five star resorts and elite culinary destinations, make her the ideal candidate to lead us to new culinary heights.”
Balboa Bay Resort was previously under the culinary direction of executive chef Vincent Lesage, who is now the executive chef at the resort’s sister Meritage Collection property, Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara, CA.
“I look forward to this next chapter and leading the culinary team to greater heights, Haggstrom said. “I am excited to use my training and expertise to create memorable dining experiences for resort guests and the local community.”
Growing up on her family’s citrus grove in Temecula, CA, Haggstrom became fascinated by the farming process, from planting seeds to harvesting and she naturally developed a passion for food and cooking with fresh produce. Haggstrom graduated from the California Culinary Academy – Le Cordon Bleu in San Francisco, CA, and went on to work at various elite culinary destinations, including The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco, Wolfgang Puck ‘s Postrio at the Kimpton Hotel San Francisco, and Thomas Keller’s Michelin three-star restaurant, The French Laundry. It was during her tenure at The French Laundry that she developed her signature “farm-to-table” cooking style. Prior to joining Balboa Bay Resort as chef de cuisine in October 2013, Haggstrom served as sous chef at St. Regis Monarch Beach.
When Haggstrom is not in the kitchen, she enjoys relaxing and spending time with her husband and daughter.
About Balboa Bay Resort
Balboa Bay Resort, the only waterfront resort in Newport Beach, offers stunning bay views and sunsets over the Pacific Ocean. The resort features 159 guestrooms and suites, each with a private balcony. Additional features include destination dining at Waterline, the resort’s signature waterfront restaurant; A&O Kitchen+Bar, a waterfront gastropub and bar; Blend™, an Italian inspired coffee shop, as well as a full-service 10,000-square-foot spa; more than 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space; a wealth of outdoor recreation, including a year-round heated swimming pool and whirlpool, water activities, and for guests to rent from the private dock: electric boats, stand-up paddleboards, and kayaks. For information and reservations, please contact Balboa Bay Resort at 949.645.5000; or visit the website at www.balboabayresort.com.
About Meritage Collection
Meritage Collection is a life and style collection from Pacific Hospitality Group, which includes independent hotels, resorts, wineries, and golf courses. Meritage Collection offers exceptional travel and one-of-a-kind experiences in four of California’s most spectacular locations—La Jolla, Napa Valley, Newport Beach, and Santa Barbara. Blending the best in leisure and group travel, Meritage Collection débuted in 2013 and includes The Meritage Resort and Spa, Bacara Resort & Spa, Balboa Bay Resort, and Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa. For more information about Meritage Collection, please visit www.meritagecollection.com.
View original press release here.
