Chef Dean Thomas, Executive Chef, Barona Valley Resort; Casino in San Diego, California
Chef Dean Thomas is the Executive Chef for Barona Valley Resort & Casino in San Diego, California. Thomas has 25 years of culinary expertise from numerous luxury resorts and hotels. Thomas served as Executive Sous Chef for the New England Culinary Institute in Vermont, an acclaimed training ground for some of America’s best chefs. In addition, he was responsible for the quality of education and operations of the Institute’s Inn at Essex. Thomas has held chef positions at Four-Star, Four-Diamond The Westin La Paloma Resort in Tuscon, the Five-Star, Five-Diamond Westin Hilton Head Island Resort in South Carolina and the Four-Star Caneel Bay Resort in St. John. He completed his culinary and wine education at the Westin Corporation Culinary Institute and participated in continuous in-service education at the New England Culinary Institute. Photo credit: Carl Kravats Photography