We all know that the preferred place to gather is in the kitchen. We eat, talk, learn and connect in this favorite spot.

The Omni Montelucia in Scottsdale captures the true essence of this connection in their Chef’s Kitchen Dinner Series — a monthly intimate gathering of up to 20 participants.

“Here at Omni Montelucia, we wanted to bring the concept of an intimate gathering to our resort, where there is an opportunity to learn, eat well, and introduce new foods and cocktails to fellow participants,” said Patrick Brophy, General Manager at Omni Montelucia.

He added, “Our Chef’s Kitchen was born with the idea of hosting a salon-inspired dinner, with a new and interesting theme each month. By keeping the participants in the middle of the action, they can observe how items are prepared. And the executive chef and executive sous chef can share their knowledge and love of cuisine as well. We have added to this concept by adding a sponsored cocktail pairing, with a representative from that distillery or winery on hand to explain the intricacies of the drinks being served.”

Themed Cuisine

In my visit to Omni Montelucia’s Chef’s Kitchen, I experienced the celebration of Dia De Los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. The courses, masterfully prepared by Executive Chef Marcos Seville and Executive Sous Chef Cesar Corral, were a spin on traditional Mexican fare, with a perfect balance of spice and sweet.

With each dish, even the dessert course, a cocktail created from Casamigos Tequilla Fall Collection was introduced for a perfect pairing. Dishes were enough to provide a substantial tasting but small enough to allow completion of each course without the feeling of overindulgence.

My food allergies and restrictions were effortlessly incorporated within the menu and I still felt very much part of the culinary experience.

“We pride ourselves on our ability to modify courses for both food requests and local resources,” Chef Seville commented. “It keeps our menus dynamic and fluid and makes each dinner in the series exciting for all involved.”

A Tailored Experience

The Chef’s Kitchen Dinner Series can be further tailored to include other indulgences that provide a teachable moment. This could include items such as a wine flight, cigar rolling or a cocktail-themed creation.

Each meal can be broken down to provide opportunities for education in between smaller cuisine courses. Guests can learn about the flight additions to the dinner, the meal theme or even hear a corporate message, depending on the audience.

Because of the intimate size of the dinner and the privacy of a separate building for the Dinner Series, an organization can easily bring top executives together to discuss company strategy and roadmaps, allowing easy flow of conversation and a unique environment for brainstorming.

With the long table seating, a flat screen can quickly be set up at the head of the table for a brief presentation from a laptop. And if simply connecting with other executives or team members for celebration is the primary goal, Omni Montelucia provides additional options for executives and their families.

Adding Enhancements

The property location provides access to several world-class golf courses. Executives can play a round at one of the four golf courses nearby or take advantage of the on-property Joya Spa. The spa provides 33,000 square feet of relaxation and renewal for guests, with services including naturopathic treatments such as acupuncture, cupping and IV therapy and private meditation sessions. Guests can also try some of the ritual offerings, including a traditional Turkish Hammam experience, Moroccan orange blossom ritual or restorative sleep ritual.

A longer weekend getaway can be set up for your executive team or incentive participants to enjoy all the resort and surrounding community have to offer. Omni Montelucia is close to hiking at Camelback Mountain, with a guided hike available on Saturday mornings for those visiting the area. The resort is also close to Old Town Scottsdale, where your executive team can catch the Western spirit of the area, including shopping and art that captures the Southwest culture.

Whether you are looking for a strong culinary evening of connection and education, or wish to extend your executive program for longer, consider making the Chef’s Kitchen Dinner Series from Omni Montelucia a cornerstone of your program.