Sean Fonte
Director of Food and Beverage
Four Seasons Tenure
- Since 2016
- First Four Seasons Assignment: Assistant Food and Beverage Manager at Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina
Employment History
- Four Seasons Resort Lanai; Jumeirah Al Naseem, Dubai; Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina
Education
- Bachelor's degree at University of Hawaii at Manoa
Birthplace
- Long Island, New York, USA
Languages Spoken
- English
Born with “a restless spirit,” Sean Fonte's life journey began just outside of the city of New York. Beckoned to Hawaii by the call of adventure at the tender age of 17, he found his true calling in hospitality, delighting in the art of making guests feel welcomed and cared for during his tenure at Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina.
From Hawaii, Fonte's wanderlust took him to the enchanting city of Dubai, where he learned the intricacies of Middle Eastern hospitality. After returning to Hawaii and the aloha spirit of Four Seasons Resort Lanai, he was drawn to the beauty and rich culture of Bali in his current role as Director of Food and Beverage at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay.
A visionary and creative thinker, Fonte constantly seeks new ways to make both the guest and employee experience unforgettable. His role at the helm of the Resort’s exciting culinary offerings - overseeing four incredible dining outlets, including the acclaimed Sundara Beach Club and Jala Cooking Academy - is guided by his unswerving desire to create moments of pure gastronomic wonder infused with the unique energy of Bali, leaving a lasting impression on all who cross his path.
“Bali has a magical pulse that awakens the spirit and intuitively allows you to reset and live in the moment,” says Fonte. “Jimbaran also offers a dynamic food and beverage scene, with options for the exploratory to the health-conscious diner. At Four Seasons Resort Jimbaran Bay, we strive to curate moments that allow our guests to savour unique food and beverage experiences rooted in a sense of place. We’re passionate about showcasing Bali’s local and seasonal flavours in innovative ways that remain true to the destination’s rich culinary heritage.”
For Fonte, hospitality is more than just a job: it’s a way of life. He is a champion of both guests and employees, passionately mentoring and coaching his teams to achieve their goals. Inspired by his passion for sustainability, he is also proud to support Bali’s local community and environment through innovative collaborations. “This is something personally important to me, being a trendsetter and showing how resorts and hotels can offer luxury experiences that simultaneously contribute meaningfully to local communities,” he says emphatically.
Fonte is also a certified sommelier from the highly acclaimed Court of Master Sommeliers, and his love for wine is matched only by his fascination with water. He believes that the culinary world is only beginning to tap into the potential of pairing food with different types of water, and he is eager to lead the way - a concept that he soon hopes to introduce at Jimbaran Bay.
When he's not busy crafting unforgettable experiences, Fonte is a passionate surfer, always on the lookout for new surf spots to explore and new friends to make. He also finds solace in yoga, and is endlessly curious about the role that food and beverage play in different cultures around the world.
