Rancho Las Palmas Welcomes Shannon Olvera as bluEmber Chef de Cuisine

Two dynamic women lead resort's culinary team.

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. October 14, 2008

RANCHO MIRAGE, CA, October 3, 2008. From ocean beach to desert sand comes seasoned, innovative and passionate Shannon Olvera, the new chef de cuisine of bluEmber at Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa. Olvera will hone her culinary creativity on new menu developments as well as oversee operations of the resort's signature restaurant that opened in November 2007. bluEmber offers 278-seats, private dining rooms, and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

"Shannon is a talented chef whose experience and enthusiasm will keep bluEmber fresh, fun and leading edge," says Executive Chef Leanne Kamekona. "We are excited to welcome her to the Rancho Las Palmas team."

With the addition of Olvera, Rancho Las Palmas becomes one of the only area resorts to be led by female chefs. What's more, both were born and raised in Hawaii- a region that each woman draws from for inspiration and creativity in the kitchen. Olvera's cuisine has been described as a melting pot of fresh California, Euro Asian and Central Mexican Cuisines. Some of her signature dishes include: Lobster Crab & Sweet Local Corn Cakes, Spicy Steak Tar Tar, Vine Ripened Tomato & Mozzarella Martini, and her slow Braised "Osso Bucco" Beef Short Ribs.

Olvera began her culinary career at the acclaimed Roy's Restaurant Hawaii Kai in Honolulu, Hawaii. During her six years at Roy's, Olvera learned the art of Euro Asian Pacific Rim cuisine. She then went on to open several Roy's Restaurants on the mainland including those in San Francisco, Tampa, Baltimore and Rancho Mirage. In 2002, Olvera left Roy's and was hand selected to open the very popular Spencer's by the mountain in Palms Springs, Calif. as the chef. In 2004, she trained at Tommy Bahamas Restaurant in Palm Desert, Calif. to open the Town Square property in Las Vegas, Nev. as executive chef. While working at Roy's and Tommy Bahamas, Olvera enjoyed a reputation for excellence that was honored in the form of local awards and accolades.

Designed by the renowned Puccini Group, bluEmber is Rancho Las Palmas Resort's signature dining experience. The restaurant showcases the region's rich harvest in a setting that exudes the sun-drenched charm of the desert and the relaxed elegance of Southern California. Gather at a handsome carved wood table inside, or by a crackling fire pit on the plaza, for a highly memorable dining experience.

A hallmark of the bluEmber experience is the live entertainment that adds a sophisticated accent every Wednesday though Sunday evenings. The current line-up includes:

Wednesday--"Un-Corked" with Gennine Jackson (6-10 p.m.) Guests enjoy the soulful vocals of Gennine Jackson and half-priced bottles of wine.

Thursday-- Tapas and Tini's with John Stanley King (6-10 p.m.) Tapas, half-priced martinis and the organic sounds of one of the desert's most popular entertainers, John Stanley King.

Friday-- Friday's at Five with K-Jazz 102.3 FM and The Smooth Brothers (5:30-10 p.m.) A great start to the weekend with food and drink specials and smooth jazz.

Saturday-- The Steve Madaio Band (6-10 p.m.) Guests enjoy a relaxing evening to the soothing sounds of Steve Madaio.

Sunday-- Sunset Sundays with Barry Minnifield and The Current (4-8 p.m.) Close out the weekend with late afternoon specials from Firestarter Vodka and great entertainment.

BluEmber is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; its bar is open until 11 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on weekends.