Three decades of culinary craft, hospitality leadership and food & beverage operations. 

WALDORF ASTORIA / LA QUINTA RESORT & CLUB
La Quinta, California
Sushi Chef 

Worked across luxury resort dining at the sushi bar and banquet operations, developing his craft in a high-service environment with an emphasis on precision, presentation and direct guest experience. 

RANCHO LAS PALMAS RESORT  
Rancho Mirage, California  
Banquet Chef → Chef de Cuisine 

Returned to the resort in an expanded leadership role, overseeing culinary operations for bluEmber, The R Bar and In-Room Dining, along with menu development, private events, team leadership and financial performance. 

TOMMY BAHAMA / TS RESTAURANTS   
Palm Desert + La Quinta, California  
Sous Chef → Executive Chef  

Built experience in high-volume restaurant operations, developing the systems, consistency and standards required to deliver a strong guest experience day after day and across multiple concepts. 

BIGHORN GOLF CLUB
Palm Desert, California
Chef de Cuisine

Led Canyons Steak House in one of California’s most exclusive private-club environments, overseeing culinary operations, menu development and highly personalized member dining.

THE VINTAGE CLUB  
Palm Desert, California  
Chef de Cuisine / R&D Chef 

Recruited to bring his culinary style and leadership to the private club, overseeing casual and fine dining while helping shape menus and develop the culinary team.  

THE KAHALA HOTEL & RESORT    
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  
Chef de Cuisine 

Led culinary operations for Plumeria Beach House, 24-hour In-Room Dining, and The Veranda, increasing revenue while overseeing a team of 15–20 and serving the resort’s VIP clientele. 

ALA MOANA HOTEL BY MANTRA    
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi   
Executive Chef / Food & Beverage Leadership  

Helped lead a significant turnaround of the hotel’s food and beverage operation, establishing stronger systems and standards, elevating menus and service, and moving the department from years of losses toward profitable performance. 

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII     
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi  
Chef Instructor

Alongside his work in the industry, David has also taught and mentored aspiring culinary professionals—an opportunity he values as a way to give back to the industry and help prepare the next generation of chefs.