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.
