JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa announced its new culinary leadership team at Tía Carmen and Kembara, which includes Dejan Djukic as destination restaurant chef of Tía Carmen and Kembara, Jared Parks as senior sous chef of Tía Carmen, and Stephanie Lechuga as senior sous chef of Kembara.
Dejan Djukic, Destination Restaurant Chef of Tía Carmen & Kembara
A highly-respected leader within the resort’s culinary program, Djukic excelled in various roles over the last decade including banquet kitchen supervisor, senior sous chef and destination restaurant chef at Tía Carmen. His career started at The Ritz-Carlton Phoenix in 2003 where he served as a banquet cook and culinary supervisor, further amplifying his comprehensive understanding of food and beverage management. Prior to his current position, Djukic served as the destination restaurant chef of Tía Carmen, where he worked closely alongside Chef Angelo Sosa to consistently elevate the contemporary Southwestern menu and establish it as a standout dining destination. Today, he brings his vision and collaborative spirit to both Tía Carmen and Kembara as he assumes the role of destination restaurant chef for both concepts in order to achieve new levels of culinary distinction within the competitive Phoenix culinary scene.
Jared Parks, Senior Sous Chef of Tía Carmen
With fifteen years of experience within the industry, Parks brings his passion for culinary arts and management to JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. Before his appointment to senior sous chef, Parks was the sous chef of Tía Carmen and helped the restaurant in 2022. Parks’ seven-year tenure with Marriott began as a sous chef at San Diego Marriott La Jolla, leading to his relocation to Phoenix, Arizona. Not only did he play a key part in the opening of Tía Carmen, he also aided in the opening of the resort’s second signature restaurant, Kembara, in 2023. Throughout this tenure, he gained valuable experience in operating both restaurants and proved to be a driving force behind the outlets’ food quality scores and various awards and accolades. Parks now oversees the kitchen at Tía Carmen as senior sous chef assisting in menu development, inventory control, food quality and leadership training of the talented staff.
Stephanie Lechuga, Senior Sous Chef of Kembara
A skilled culinary professional, Lechuga has been a vital member of Kembara’s team since its opening in 2023. Lechuga’s positive attitude and impressive work ethic significantly contributes to the continued success of the resort’s newest culinary concept, warmly embracing the rich tapestry of Asian street food culture. Her background includes significant roles at Desert Highlands Golf Club, where she served as sous chef and executive sous chef, and at JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass working alongside James Beard Award-winning Chef Melissa Kelly. Lechuga earned her associate degree in baking and pastry arts from The Art Institute of Tuscon.
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Headshots can be downloaded here and the resort here.
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About JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
Set on 316 acres of sweeping Sonoran Desert, JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa features 950 rooms with dramatic desert and mountain views among lush grounds and gardens. The elements of fire, water, earth, and sky are woven into the resort experience, amenities, and decor. Arizona’s largest luxury resort offers Marriott’s first Revive Spa, a fitness center and movement studio, seven dining outlets, 240,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, and the exclusive Griffin Club. The AAA Four Diamond resort also boasts four acres of elaborately landscaped waterways, including five pools, a 1,600-foot Lazy River and three unique multi-story waterslides that opened in summer 2023. A destination for the active, the expansive resort offers ample opportunity to explore the outdoors and delight in 330+ days of sunshine a year, with on-site amenities such as 17 pickleball courts, three tennis courts, 36 holes of championship golf at Wildfire Golf Club, and bike rentals, along with convenient access to nearby hiking and fitness trails.
