Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch, an Arizona desert resort at the base of the McDowell Mountains near Phoenix, has partnered with celebrity Chef Richard Blais as part of a transformative reconception of the resort’s food and beverage experiences. The television star and James Beard-nominated chef will debut several new concepts at the resort as part of the property’s $110 million renovation and rebranding to a Grand Hyatt property.
“We are thrilled to announce a partnership with celebrity Chef Richard Blais to debut elevated dining and bar experiences at our beautiful Sonoran Desert resort,” says Lance Marrin, general manager of Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa, in a prepared statement. “The new and exciting concepts will provide a wide variety of global and local flavors that our guests and local residents will love. All our restaurant and bar venues are expected to debut this fall as we finalize our extensive renovation project.”
Richard Blais is a successful chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, and television personality. Blais currently co-stars alongside Gordon Ramsay on Fox’s hit cooking competition, “Next Level Chef,” and is the first winner of Bravo’s “Top Chef All-Stars.”
Blais will debut six new dining experiences at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale. The first will be his signature concept, a personal love letter to Italian American cuisine with a focus on handmade pastas and charcoal-grilled steaks, seafood, and chops. The outlet will feature sophisticated indoor seating connected to the resort’s Desert Garden outdoor gathering space. It will also include an elegant wine bar and lounge serving premier Italian wines.
The second new outlet will showcase a vibrant and playful concept that brings together the best of Japanese sushi and Spanish tapas infused with the unique flavors and ingredients from the Southwest. The focal point will be a spacious sushi and tapas bar offering delicious made-to-order specialties.
Blais will also oversee the concept development of a Southwest-style grill highlighting the best produce, meats, and seafood from the region. The restaurant will be open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and will be connected to the resort’s renovated lobby bar. The bar will reflect the extravagant style of a classic and grand hotel lounge.
Additionally, Blais will debut new poolside dining with two reimagined experiences. The first, H2Oasis, is open and available for guests. The menu, created by Blais, features delicious island-inspired tacos highlighting global flavors from the South Pacific, Hawaii, and the Caribbean, along with many exciting frozen cocktail selections. The second poolside restaurant will feature popular American cuisine with gourmet burgers, fresh seasoned fries, crispy chicken tenders, and more.
In addition to his work with Hyatt Regency Scottsdale, Blais currently owns and operates Trail Blais, a forward-thinking culinary consulting company that has consulted on, designed, and operated popular eateries across the country. Trail Blais also advises national brands on menu creativity, ideation, and employee training. He is the James Beard Award-nominated author of “Try This at Home: Recipes from My Head to Your Plate,” and second cookbook, “So Good.” His more recent recipe collection, “Plant Forward: 100 Bold Recipes for a Mostly Healthy Lifestyle” he co-wrote with his wife Jazmin and published last October. Blais has appeared on “Today,” “Good Morning America,” “The Rachael Ray Show,” and “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.” He also has been featured in The New York Times, InStyle, and Food & Wine.
As part of the $110 million renovation, the multiphase transformation of Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa will include a complete rebranding of the property to a Grand Hyatt hotel, the first in Arizona. The updates include a full renovation of guest rooms, food and beverage outlets, the spacious pool area, Spa Avania and the fitness center, key public areas, and amenities, including the expansion of the hotel’s indoor and outdoor meeting and events spaces.