Yoni Heredia, Executive Chef
Originally from El Salvador, Chef Heredia began his Hotel/Restaurant career in the early 1990's as a Garde manger cook at the Whittier Hilton Hotel in California.
It was the colorful and memorable experiences gained from the seasoned cooks and fast-paced environment that led him to the conclusion that a life in the kitchen was his destiny.
Chef Heredia then attended formal culinary training at the California Culinary Academy and continued working for Hilton as a sous Chef, shortly after he was promoted to the Executive Chef position at the age of 23.
In the late 1990s, he moved to Massachusetts with Starwood Hotels and spent eight years at the Westin Copley place in Boston under the tutelage of Starwood's corporate Chef Christoph Leu. His time and experience in New England have been one of his favorites so far. His favorite parts are the abundance of boat-to-table seafood, farmers everywhere, beautiful local produce, nuts, grains, maple and cranberries - just to name a few.
In 2005 Chef Heredia transferred to the Westin City Center in Dallas Texas and directed a very successful food and beverage operation for 6 years as the Executive Chef.
In 2011 he explored Marriott International and became the Executive Chef at the Dallas Marriott City Center.
With over 25 years of culinary experience, his desire to explore new culinary cultures has brought him to St Louis, where he is currently the Executive Chef at the Marriott Grand and Zenia Restaurant with a menu focusing on simple and seasonal local ingredients.