Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach names new culinary leaders

Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort and Club has announced the appointment of Michelin-starred chef Steve Benjamin as director of culinary and promoted Nicole Encarnacion to executive chef at its Bourbon Steak restaurant in Orange County. 

The resort said the appointments form part of a wider plan to expand its culinary offering while developing internal talent and promoting women into senior kitchen leadership roles.

Benjamin, a Paris native, trained under Joël Robuchon and opened the first L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in the French capital before moving to Las Vegas, where he led the MGM Grand kitchen to a Michelin star. He has been a Master Chef of France since 2012 and won the US television cooking competition Chopped in 2013.

With nearly 25 years of experience, Benjamin is known for combining classical technique with menu development and large-scale fine dining operations. He will oversee all food and beverage outlets at the Dana Point resort.

Encarnacion, originally from the Philippines, has been with the resort since 2018 and was most recently chef de cuisine at AVEO Table + Bar. A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu, she has also worked in Bavaria and at The Langham Pasadena. She will now lead day-to-day culinary operations at Bourbon Steak, the Michael Mina steakhouse concept.

George Munz, general manager of Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach, said: “We are proud to welcome chef Steve and congratulate chef Nicole as we continue to elevate the culinary programme at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach. 

“Their individual talents, global roots, and diverse experiences… will ensure our dining venues not only meet but exceed the expectations of today’s luxury traveller.”