A Recipe for Success: Elms Hires New Executive Chef

*Chef Christian Arriaga is excited to bring his experience and talent to the Elms (photo S Jason Cole).*

The Elms Hotel and Spa, which is a part of the Destination by Hyatt portfolio, has appointed Christian Arriaga as its Executive Chef. In his new role, Arriaga will be responsible for leading the hotel’s signature Three Owls restaurant and overseeing the culinary team as a whole. Additionally, he will be curating specialty menus and managing banquet events as well as managing food operations at The Tavern and Cafe Soterian.

Chef Arriaga brings a wealth of culinary experience to the historic Elms Hotel in Excelsior Springs. Born in Coahuila, Mexico, Arriaga moved to San Francisco at age 13 and began his culinary career as a dishwasher at Players Sports Bar and Grill on Pier 39. Within two years, he worked his way up to supervisor managing a team of 15. Arriaga said his time at Players was one of his fondest memories, and it was during this time that he met his wife, Amanda, who was a server. Arriaga moved from San Francisco to San Diego where he gained experience at multiple restaurants before moving to Texas where he began working with Hyatt Hotels.

Arriaga served as Chef de Cuisine at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, where he oversaw three restaurants, a bar, a specialty Italian restaurant, a coffee shop, and room service for more than 1100 rooms. He was promoted to Executive Sous Chef at the Hyatt Regency DFW Airport, where he oversaw both banquets and restaurants. When Arriaga heard about the opening at the Elms Hotel, he knew it was the perfect opportunity for him. “When this position opened for me, [my Chef] told me, ‘You should go for it, you’re ready for this.’”

If the Easter menu is any indication of what we can expect from Chef Arriaga, Excelsior Springs is in for a treat (submitted image).

Arriaga and his wife fell in love with Kansas and Missouri and the feel of small-town America after visiting friends in Emporia, Kansas. They decided to move to the Kansas City area to raise their family and to be a part of the Kansas City boom. Arriaga arrived about a month ago with his wife and three young children and they’ve already found a home in nearby Gladstone. Chef Arriaga says he believes Kansas City is poised for continued growth and will continue to be a destination for foodies, much like Dallas is now.

One of the things that excites Arriaga about the Elms is the community’s connection to it. “When I talk to people, they’ll say, ‘Oh, my uncle works there, or my cousin worked there, or a friend, or someone,'” he said. “The community is definitely connected to this location, which I think is great.” Arriaga’s goal at the Elms is to create memorable dining experiences for guests. He plans to do this by using fresh, seasonal ingredients and incorporating local flavors into the menu. Arriaga also wants to bring his own twist to classic dishes and create new, innovative dishes that guests won’t find anywhere else.

General Manager Jessica Higginbotham is delighted to have Arriaga on board. “We’re very thankful to have him,” she said. “He’s got great experience, he’s got great energy, and he’s really excited to be here.”

The Elms, built in 1912, has a rich history and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The hotel has recently undergone a major renovation, including updates to the guest rooms, lobby, spa, and restaurant. The addition of Arriaga as the new chef is another step in the hotel’s efforts to provide guests with an exceptional experience.

Arriaga is thrilled to be a part of the Elms’ history and to create new memories for guests. “I’m very excited to be here,” he said. “I look forward to working with the local restaurants and vendors to make sure that we give something back to the community. The locals should have the opportunity to try something different, without making a trip into Kansas City.”

Stop by the Elms to try one of their daily specialties, or reserve a time to celebrate a special occasion with your friends and family.