CARMEL, Calif. – La Playa Carmel has announced the appointment of Boris Ilabaca as executive chef, overseeing all of the culinary operations at the historic, 110-year-old hotel in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Ilabaca joins La Playa Carmel with a culinary portfolio spanning 20 years. Ilabaca began his career as sous chef at Monterey’s Montrio Bistro, which, during his time there, was awarded Esquire Magazine’s “Best New Restaurant” in the first year of business. Interested in expanding his knowledge of food and cooking techniques, Ilabaca later moved to San Francisco, where he held sous chef positions at Moose’s Restaurant and the renowned Hawthorne Lane Restaurant, working alongside acclaimed chef Anne Gingrass. After three years, he relocated back to beautiful Monterey Bay, where he soon became sous chef at The Lodge at Pebble Beach and executive chef at The Old Bath House Restaurant, taking his classic cuisine to new heights with an updated approach. Prior to joining the hotel, Ilabaca also worked as chef de cuisine at Seascape Beach Resort and Portola Hotel & Spa.
“We are excited to welcome Chef Ilabaca to the hotel family,” said La Playa Carmel General Manager Mary Crowe. “Ilabaca marries the Chilean traditional flavors of his homeland with many of our food and beverage offerings. His talents and experience are perfectly suited to our goal of delivering a high-quality and comprehensive culinary experience to our local and visiting guests.”
