1. Jean-Pierre Dubray He's cooked alongside the greats like Alain Ducasse and Julia Child, and spent more than two decades perfecting his French craft with The Ritz-Carlton, among others. As the executive chef over all culinary operations at The Resort at Pelican Hill, Dubray's latest accolade is a prestigious induction into the Master Chefs of France Association—an honor garnered by fewer than 100 in the United States and 550 worldwide. pelicanhill.com
2. Benjamin Martinek After coming up as a sous-chef under his Michelin-starred predecessor, Craig Strong, Martinek has gracefully stepped into his role as the new chef de cuisine at the award-winning Studio at Montage Laguna Beach, introducing experiential multicoursed chef's tasting menus to the restaurant. montagehotels.com/lagunabeach
3. Brittany Valles As executive chef at Oak Grill and Aqua Lounge at Fashion Island Hotel, Valles, who was mentored by chef Michael Voltaggio, is setting the tone for one of Newport Beach's most beloved hotels. Toast Oak Grill's five-year anniversary July 13 with her flavorful California cuisine, and return again in August for a Veuve Clicquot-paired five-course dinner on the lush patio. fashionislandhotel.com
4. Wyatt Lash Celebrating his first year as the new executive chef at the Kimpton Shorebreak Resort's Pacific Hideaway, Lash has completely overhauled the menu, which includes the debut of a four-course tasting menu inspired by world traveler Bodhi. "Since chef Wyatt's arrival, Pacific Hideaway went into another gear," says the food and beverage director, Blake Matthias. pacifichideawayhb.com
5. Vic Casanova Balboa Bay Resort welcomes this esteemed chef—who honed his chops at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles, among others—to oversee its culinary portfolio, including the beloved A&O Kitchen+Bar and Waterline. The bar is high—Esquire named his L.A. spot Gusto as one of its best new restaurants in America in 2012—and he's already spicing things up with innovative takes on the classics. balboabayresort.com
Photography by: resorts
