Word from Buzzell HQ: Hotel ZaZa has hired Grant Morgan to be the new executive chef of Dragonfly restaurant, replacing chef Marc Cassell who left in April. Chef Morgan comes highly pedigreed with stints at Sweet Basil in Vail, Colorado, and Le Cirque at the Bellagio in Vegas under his belt. Most recently, he was exec sous at Luqa restaurant downtown.
After the jump, the full release.
Hotel ZaZa is pleased to announce Grant Morgan as the new executive chef of the upscale Dragonfly restaurant. Dining patrons can look forward to a brand new menu, created by Chef Morgan, and an enhanced interior, later this summer. As executive chef, Morgan will oversee all kitchen operations, menu planning and direction, including seasonal additions and weekly menu specials.
Chef Morgan began his career in Sedona, Ariz., where he completed an apprenticeship at the eclectic, green-minded Heartline Café in 1997. Following his apprenticeship, he moved to Vail, Colo., where he assisted in the kitchen of the AAA 4-diamond-rated restaurant, Sweet Basil.
After three years at Sweet Basil, Morgan moved to the upscale Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa in Beaver Creek, Colo., another AAA 4-diamond-rated property. Working as a sous chef for the resort’s gourmet restaurant, Bivans, Morgan supervised dinner service and oversaw all operational aspects of the restaurant, managing a staff of 35.
Following Beaver Creek, Morgan headed west to the bright lights of Las Vegas, to the Bellagio, where he worked as a sous chef in the acclaimed AAA 5-diamond-rated Le Cirque.
Most recently, Morgan relocated to Dallas where he served as the executive sous chef at Luqa. In addition to overseeing kitchen operations, he assisted in the design of Luqa’s lunch and dinner menus and special 5, 8 and 16 course meals.
Morgan has cooked for multiple Hollywood notables, including Cameron Diaz, Clint Eastwood and Nicholas Cage. He has extended his culinary expertise to charitable events, including the planning and preparation of a Keep Vail Beautiful dinner event, and a James Beard Foundation Dinner at Sweet Basil. Outside of the kitchen, Morgan has been an active volunteer for Keep Vail Clean, Adopt a Highway, Habitat for Humanity and Protect Eagle River.
