Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires

Four Seasons Tenure

• Since 2001
• First Four Seasons Assignment: Commis Cook, Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires

Employment History

• Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt; Four Seasons Hotel Washington DC; Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Mexico; Four Seasons Resort Aviara at San Diego (formerly a Four Seasons); Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires; Park Hyatt, Buenos Aires (now Four Seasons); Sheraton Hotel, Buenos Aires

Birthplace

• Rosario, Argentina

Languages Spoken

• Spanish, English

“It was meant to be,” recalls Juan Gaffuri, reflecting on his return to Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires in 2011 as Executive Chef, after years of international experience. “Buenos Aires is where my career began, and Four Seasons is where I met and married my wife. Coming back home, just as we were expecting our first child, felt like life coming full circle.”

Since then, Chef Juan has led a culinary renaissance at the Hotel, transforming it into one of the city’s most dynamic gastronomic destinations. Under his leadership, Elena has become an institution - recognized globally for its dry-aged meats, elegant yet approachable cuisine, and bold use of local ingredients. Nuestro Secreto, the hotel’s contemporary parrilla tucked beneath the glass roof of a lush garden terrace, reflects his ongoing passion for fire-driven cooking and outdoor dining culture.

Growing up in Rosario, Chef Juan spent his formative years in his grandmother’s kitchen, immersed in the rituals of home cooking. “We talk a lot about getting back to basics,” he says. “For me, that means working with exceptional ingredients and honouring traditional flavours while using modern techniques to elevate them.”

His international journey - from the beaches of Mexico to the spice markets of Egypt - deeply informs his approach today. “Cooking in different corners of the world gave me a broader understanding of flavour, but Argentina will always be my foundation. Our culinary identity is rich, diverse, and still evolving.”

Gaffuri’s technical precision, shaped in part by his early training in the electrical trade, continues to influence the way he runs his kitchens. “In this environment, consistency is key. Every dish must be prepared with care - every time.”

Now with over two decades at Four Seasons, Chef Juan remains a visionary force within the brand. With a dedicated team - many of whom have grown with him over the years - he continues to push boundaries while celebrating the soul of Argentine cuisine.

At home, his love for food is only matched by his devotion to his family. With his wife Guadalupe - his own Elena - and their sons, Juan finds daily inspiration both in the kitchen and around the family table.

“It’s good to be home,” he says. “And even better to keep growing here.”