Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale Appoints Gregory James as Executive Chef, Unveiling a Reimagined Food and Beverage Program Rooted in the Sonoran Desert

Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North announces the appointment of Gregory James as Executive Chef, bringing more than 30 years of culinary and hospitality leadership to the resort. A thoughtful, ingredient-driven chef known for refined comfort and collaborative leadership, James will oversee all culinary operations across the resort’s dining program, including signature restaurants, In-Casita dining, banquets, weddings, and special events.

Chef Gregory joins Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale following an accomplished career shaping culinary identities at celebrated luxury destinations. Most recently, he served as Resort Manager and Executive Chef at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, where he led culinary operations across multiple outlets and played a key role in further strengthening the resort’s reputation as one of Arizona’s premier luxury destinations. Prior to this, he held a senior culinary leadership position at The Inn at Perry Cabin, an ultra-luxury resort on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, where his work earned numerous culinary honours and community recognition while deepening partnerships with local farmers, fisheries, and regional tourism organizations.

In 2022, James was named Chef of the Year by the Restaurant Association of Maryland and received a Secretary’s Citation for Remarkable Contributions to Maryland’s Tourism and Agriculture Industry, celebrating his longstanding commitment to regional sourcing, community engagement, and culinary leadership. At Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale, his focus will be on evolving each venue with a unified culinary vision, one that feels unmistakably Sonoran, deeply seasonal, and aligned with the resort’s spirit of understated luxury.

“We are delighted to welcome Chef Gregory to Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale,” says Jerome Arribas, General Manager. “His depth of experience, leadership, and respect for place align seamlessly with our vision. We look forward to the creativity and excellence he will bring to our culinary program.”

His culinary philosophy centres on ingredient integrity, regional influence, and elevated comfort, food that is refined yet approachable, grounded in classical technique while remaining warm and intuitive. A passionate mentor, he is equally committed to cultivating talent and nurturing a kitchen culture rooted in respect, teamwork, and excellence.

“The Sonoran Desert has its own rhythm, and the most memorable dining experiences honour that sense of place,” says Gregory James, Executive Chef. “I’m excited to build on the strong foundation here and reimagine our menus and moments across the resort, celebrating exceptional sourcing, the beauty of the landscape, and the personalized care that defines Four Seasons.”

Looking Ahead: A New Dining Vision Across Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale

In his new role, James will lead the next chapter of the resort’s dining identity, elevating each outlet with distinct positioning while ensuring a cohesive culinary thread throughout. From celebratory evenings at Talavera to sunlit afternoons poolside and wellness-forward mornings at Desert Orchard, each experience will be thoughtfully refreshed to reflect Scottsdale’s light, landscape, and flavour.

Proof

Classic American dining—reintroduced with Four Seasons craftsmanship and comfort.

At Proof, Chef Gregory will bring forward a refreshed identity rooted in Classic American comfort, with familiar favourites elevated through ingredient quality, precision, and warm hospitality. The evolving menu will focus on dishes guests already love, prepared with clarity and care, and designed to feel generous, timeless, and satisfying.

From hearty breakfast moments to easy lunch plates and comforting evening offerings, Proof will embrace an experience built for connection. With a strong bar program centred on American spirits, especially bourbon and whiskey, the restaurant will continue to serve as a social anchor for families, multigenerational gatherings, and guests returning from golf, hiking, or poolside afternoons.

Onyx Bar & Lounge

A classic Four Seasons lounge experience—where elevated cocktails meet desert sunsets.

Onyx Bar & Lounge will be further defined as the resort’s signature lobby gathering space, built around timeless cocktails, elegant small plates, and understated luxury. Open for lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and drinks, Onyx will continue to offer guests a refined place to pause between day and night, guided by the rhythm of the desert rather than the clock.

Upcoming culinary enhancements will complement the bar’s focus on iconic cocktail standards, Martinis, Negronis, Old Fashioneds, and Champagne moments, paired with elevated accompaniments such as caviar, truffle-forward bites, and shareable plates designed for effortless indulgence.

Talavera

A reimagined signature dinner experience shaped by fire, landscape, and a quiet sense of occasion.

Chef Gregory will introduce a renewed culinary direction for Talavera, the resort’s signature evening destination, defined by refined technique, open-fire cooking, and an elevated expression of Sonoran dining. With sweeping views over the valley, Talavera’s future menu will draw inspiration from the traditions of the American Southwest and the borderlands of Northern Mexico, interpreted through a contemporary lens.

Planned menu updates will spotlight thoughtfully sourced proteins, heritage ingredients, and seasonal produce, all grounded in balance, restraint, and confident flavour. The experience will continue to unfold with intention, designed for lingering dinners, milestone celebrations, and evenings shaped by the desert’s shifting light.

Saguaro Blossom

Poolside dining inspired by Mexico’s coast—bold flavours, fresh ingredients, effortless energy.

At Saguaro Blossom, guests can expect a vibrant culinary approach inspired by the flavours and spirit of Mexico’s coastal regions. Designed for relaxed afternoons that stretch into golden hour, future menu programming will lean into grilled seafood, premium meats, bright vegetables, and plant-forward dishes, built for sharing, lingering, and returning to again and again.

With refreshed cocktails and bright, refreshing flavours, Saguaro Blossom will continue to serve as the resort’s poolside gathering place, approachable, colourful, and rooted in the ease of Scottsdale sunshine.

With Chef Gregory at the helm, Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale looks ahead to a new era of culinary storytelling, one that celebrates exceptional ingredients, intuitive service, and a strong sense of place, all framed by the beauty of the Sonoran Desert.