USA, Colorado Springs, Colorado. March 15, 2018

Garden of the Gods Collection, a private club and luxury resort, announced the appointment of Ronnie Sanchez as executive chef in October 2017. Sanchez joins the team with more than 20 years of experience in the culinary industry. Sanchez has worked with Michelin three-star restaurants as well as large, four- and five-star destination resorts across the U.S. Sanchez received culinary training in Europe, and over the course of his career has worked in various capacities with a variety of acclaimed restaurants such as Spain's El Bulli.

Most recently, Sanchez was the executive chef and culinary director of Stowe Mountain Lodge in Stowe, Vt., where he managed the operations of all food and beverage outlets for the 300-room resort. Prior to that, he was the culinary director of The Westin Snowmass and Wildwood Snowmass in Aspen, Colo. Sanchez is credited for assisting with opening both properties, as well as its conference center in 2012. Sanchez has traveled and worked around the globe as an executive chef, leaving his footprint at various hotels and resorts including the Inn and Spa at Loretto in Santa Fe, N.M., as well as the Ko Kea Hotel & Resort in Kauai, Hawaii.

“We're thrilled to have Ronnie join the Garden of the Gods Collection team,” said Laura Neumann, managing director of Garden of the Gods Collection. “I'm confident his diverse background, leadership skills and culinary expertise will advance the high standard of excellence we set for our food and beverage programs.”

At Garden of the Gods Collection, Sanchez will lead the resort's culinary services: managing the staff, creating unique and seasonal menus, working to evolve culinary concepts going forward, as well as managing the operations for the kitchen, restaurants and in-room dining. The culinary Food & Beverage team at Garden of the Gods Collection maintains a rigorous commitment to training, most recently including a sommelier training provided by the International Wine & Spirits Guild the Collection. Last year, 15 staff members at the Collection received sommelier certification.

While away from the office, Sanchez enjoys traveling and experiencing new cultures, foods, tastes, aromas and scenery. Sanchez spends much of his free time with his two-year-old daughter, and has a strong love and taste for Peruvian food and greatly enjoys the Hawaiian lifestyle.

About Garden of the Gods Collection

Perched atop a mesa in Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods Collection is a private club and luxury resort that showcases expansive vistas of the Rocky Mountains, snow-capped Pikes Peak and the awe-inspiring National Natural Landmark, Garden of the Gods Park. Boasting a legendary history, the Collection has played host to some of America's most beloved characters, such as Walt Disney, Gene Autry and John Wayne, and today, the same beautiful setting continues to draw the famous and beckon travelers worldwide. Guests enjoy golfing at its 27-hole championship Kissing Camels course; tennis on two outdoor, and four state-of-the-art indoor courts; outdoor swimming pools; acclaimed dining offerings; and a new model of holistic healthcare delivery at the brand new Spa and International Health & Wellness Center. Here, guests will discover treatments not found elsewhere in the state, or the Rocky Mountain West, that integrate Eastern and Western medicine with a focus on proactive health and wellbeing. Bespoke programs for busy executives, groups and leisure travelers are offered by a team of acclaimed, board-certified physicians. Among other awards, Garden of the Gods Collection was named one of the best resorts in Colorado Springs by U.S. News & World Report in its 2017 Best Hotel Awards, and one of the state's “Top 100 Women Owned Businesses” by ColoradoBiz Magazine. For more information, call (800) 923-8838, visit www.gardenofthegodsclub.com, or follow @GardenoftheGodsCollection on Facebook, and @GGClubandResort on Instagram and Pinterest.