ST.
HELENA, Calif., June 20,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Meadowood Napa Valley is pleased
to announce Chef Alejandro "Ale" Ayala as Executive Chef of
Meadowood Napa Valley. With a distinguished career that spans more
than three decades at Meadowood, Chef Ale takes the helm at
Forum—the wine-country estate's central, daily restaurant—and
introduces new summer menus conceived around the land, farms, and
wines of the region. Paying tribute to the Napa Valley's rich agricultural heritage,
Forum showcases contemporary California dishes with distinctly Mexican
influences, forging a flavorful niche in the culinary landscape of
wine country.
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"I am deeply honored and privileged to have realized my culinary
capabilities at Meadowood Napa Valley, and now to step into the
role of Executive Chef," said Chef Alejandro Ayala, Executive Chef at Meadowood
Napa Valley. "From my beginnings as a dishwasher and line cook to
overseeing a multitude of events every year, my career path has
been one of dedication and growth. To have had the opportunity to
evolve along with Meadowood and immerse myself fully in the craft
of cooking has been nothing short of a dream, and I am eagerly
looking forward to furthering my culinary journey at Meadowood in
this new capacity."
With its cheerful, serenely appointed dining room and
comfortable outdoor lounge, Forum brings world-class hospitality to
Meadowood guests, Meadowood Club members, and the local community.
Chef Ale takes inspiration from the freshest of produce sourced
directly from Meadowood Farm while incorporating ingredients from
local proprietors. Drawing on his heritage and life in the
Napa Valley, Chef Ale's new summer
dinner menu includes the likes of Rock Cod Tacos—featuring avocado,
pickled cabbage, Fresno chili, and
cilantro cream—as well as Meadowood classics such as Akaushi Beef
Tenderloin—featuring an olive oil–potato purée, maitake mushrooms,
grilled asparagus, and Cabernet sauce.
"We are thrilled to have Chef Ale assume his new role," remarked
Patrick Nayrolles, General Manager of Meadowood Napa Valley. "At
Meadowood, we believe in nurturing talent and watching it thrive,
much like our harvest. Chef Ale epitomizes this philosophy, having
matured organically into our estate's Executive Chef. He is very
much emblematic of the growth and evolution of both Meadowood and
the valley at large."
Along with new summer menus for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and
weekend brunch, Forum also debuts its first-ever Golden Hour, when
guests are invited to join at the outdoor lounge or indoor bar for
an attractive assortment of afternoon delights, all at an
attractive price. Sample from a selection of wine, beer, cocktails,
and zero-proof refreshments while enjoying light bites and classics
like the Dungeness Crab Wontons, Reuben Croquettes, and Forum
Burger. Golden Hour is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the open
air of Forum Lounge with friends and family while taking in the
late-afternoon light.
Embodying a casually relaxed atmosphere, Forum is a favorite
among locals for weekend brunch, especially with the popularity of
its bar cart. The roving drinks cart—stocked with fresh juices,
purées, and garnishes—brings house mixologists directly tableside,
allowing them to engage with guests while serving up Bloody Marys,
Verde Marys, Mimosas, and custom
cocktails crafted to individual tastes.
In addition to Forum, Chef Ale, as Executive Chef of Meadowood
Napa Valley, oversees the culinary program for the Terrace Café and
pools complex, In-Room Dining, Banquets, and Catering. Chef Ale
joined the kitchen staff at Meadowood Napa Valley as a dishwasher
nearly 35 years ago. He worked his way through various positions,
beginning by assisting the cooks with chopping vegetables and
making crêpes. Nurtured by Meadowood's chefs and eager to broaden
his skills, Chef Ale steadily cultivated his technique, eventually
cooking for both intimate and large-scale events catered by the
estate. Born in Indaparapeo,
Michoacán, Chef Ale moved to the United
States at 18 to make the Napa
Valley his home. Before becoming Executive Chef, he served
as Estate Chef and Executive Banquet Chef of Meadowood Napa
Valley.
Chef Ale has recruited and fostered a talented team who join him
at Forum. Giuseppe Marchesini brings
over 25 years of experience in the world of fine dining to his role
as Assistant Director of Food and Beverage at Meadowood Napa
Valley. Tessa Cruz, currently
serving as Sous Chef at Meadowood Napa Valley, is a dedicated
culinary professional with a passion for creating exceptional
dining experiences. Joining Tessa as Sous Chef at Meadowood Napa
Valley is Jose Sandoval, an integral
member of the culinary team who has honed his skills over the
course of a decade at the estate. Jillian
Bartolome, Pastry Chef at Meadowood Napa Valley, is a
creative and versatile pastry chef known for her exacting precision
and artful presentation.
Forum is open seven days a week, serving breakfast from
7:30–10:30 a.m., Golden Hour from 3–5 p.m., and dinner from 5–10
p.m. Weekday lunch is served from 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. and weekend
brunch from 10:30 a.m. –3 p.m.
About Meadowood Napa Valley
Founded in 1961 and
acquired by H. William Harlan in
1979, Meadowood Napa Valley has dedicated itself for more than half
a century to delivering exceptional customer service and creating
memorable experiences for visitors looking to retreat to
California wine country. With its
approachable elegance and exemplary hospitality, Meadowood has been
a touchstone for travelers to the Napa
Valley and has elevated the standard for premier hotels. For
years, Meadowood has served the community as a gathering place for
social, cultural, and viticultural life—and has furnished the ideal
destination for those seeking insider access to the Napa Valley. Since reopening in August 2021 with 36 lodge-style rooms and suites
designed by Howard Backen, Meadowood
has continued to offer a welcoming immersion into the Napa Valley's joyful, imaginative approach to
recreation and relaxation.
The natural surroundings of the estate and its distinct
amenities are unique to Meadowood. Among the available services and
activities are: the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star–rated Meadowood
Spa; The Wine Center, where a range of classes has been designed to
provide a personalized immersion into the culture, history, and
nuances of wines from the Napa
Valley and around the world; the central, daily restaurant
Forum; the outdoor Terrace Café, open seasonally; the expansive and
contemporary Fitness Center; five manicured, hard-surface tennis
courts with complimentary demo racquets, balls, and ball machines;
two professional tennis instructors with national championship
titles; and three separate pools that include the Cabana Pool, the
Fitness Pool, and the Family Activity Pool.
Meadowood Napa Valley is a proud and long-standing member of
Relais & Châteaux and is honored to have achieved several of
the hospitality industry's highest accolades in 2024. Meadowood
recently earned two Five-Star Awards from Forbes Travel Guide for
the estate's Hotel and Spa; was recognized as one of only 11 Three
Michelin Key hotels in the United
States; and was one of only 75 hotels worldwide to be named
on the Condé Nast Traveler Gold List. For more information about
Meadowood Napa Valley, please visit meadowood.com.
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SOURCE Meadowood Napa Valley