Jay Pastoral Joins La Casa Del Zorro Resort & Spa as Executive Chef

Pastoral brings decades of high-profile experience and creativity to culinary operations at the upscale desert resort

Jay Pastoral has been appointed Executive Chef at La Casa del Zorro Resort & Spa. In his new role, Pastoral will oversee the resort’s food and beverage operations for group events and at its spa, Fox Den Cantina and seasonal, high-end facility, The Butterfield Dining Room. 

A seasoned veteran of the hospitality culinary industry, Pastoral most recently served as Sous Chef at Palm Desert Country Club. Prior to that, he was Executive Chef at De Anza Country Club in Borrego Springs, Stoneridge Country Club in Poway, Calif. and the iconic Hotel Del Coronado, where he worked for close to 15 years. Beyond the Del, Pastoral is no stranger to San Diego landmarks – beginning in the 1950s, he honed his skills at institutions including The Lafayette Hotel, the U.S. Grant Hotel and the El Cortez Hotel and was Executive Chef at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse for several years before realizing hotels were his true calling. Pastoral has also shared his experience with budding chefs as a Chef Instructor Adjunct at Mesa College in San Diego, Calif. He has earned a number of professional accolades, including a Chef of the Year award from the Chef De Cuisine Association of San Diego and a Chapter President position for the same association.

“Mr. Pastoral is a creative, well-respected chef with excellent local experience, and we are thrilled to have him call La Casa home,” said Patrick Sampson, General Manager at La Casa del Zorro. “His strong background and great ideas are already making a mark on the resort, and we look forward to more exciting developments under his watch.”

Although just a short time into his new position, Pastoral has already spearheaded a brand new “Staying Healthy” menu geared toward health and fitness-conscious guests of The Spa at La Casa del Zorro. Next, Pastoral will bring a fresh perspective to the resort’s beloved fine dining destination, The Butterfield Dining Room. When the restaurant reopens for the season in late October 2015, it will debut an updated menu with a more modern, inventive approach to dining in the desert.

To learn more about La Casa del Zorro and stay up-to-date with culinary happenings, visit LaCasadelZorro.com. 

About La Casa del Zorro  ​

Rated among the top Worldhotels based on service quality, design, and facilities, La Casa del Zorro is an intimate, upscale resort nestled in the beautiful Anza-Borrego State Park in Borrego Springs, Calif. Offering 67 rooms, including private casitas, La Casa del Zorro is a true desert oasis. It features 26 pools, fitness amenities including a gym and Olympic-sized lap pool, an onsite spa, shuffleboard, croquet, tennis, and bocce ball courts, as well as a jogging path and a giant chessboard. La Casa del Zorro is also home to The Fox Den Bar & Cantina, the Rose Garden Terrace and the Butterfield Room. For more information, visit LaCasaDelZorro.com.

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