• Mowry & Cotton stove and counter
    Exceptionally skilled culinary artisans
  • J&G Steakhouse window seat at dusk
    Exceptionally skilled culinary artisans

Meet the culinary team at The Phoenician

The Phoenician’s culinary team represents decades of experience with an unsurpassed love of food, dining and the pleasures of the table. From developing innovative menus for each of the resort’s restaurants to overseeing a large staff of dedicated professionals, these highly trained and exceptionally skilled culinary artisans bring taste and style to every meal served.

Richard Boyer, Executive Chef

Richard Boyer, Executive Chef

Experienced in the award-winning culinary operations of this Marriott Luxury Collection property, Boyer spent part of his early career working with Chef Alessandro Stratta at its former Five Diamond modern French restaurant, Mary Elaine’s.

Prior to returning to the AAA Five Diamond resort, Boyer served as culinary director and executive chef for the Forbes Five Star/AAA Five Diamond resort, The American Club at Destination Kohler in Kohler, Wis. While there, he led a team of 120 associates, overseeing its 12 venues as well as its banquet operations and production and demonstration kitchens. His extensive career has also included the position of chef de cuisine for both 27 Ocean Blue at the Five Star Boca Raton Resort and Club; and Wright’s at the Arizona Biltmore.

A member of The American Culinary Federation and the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, Boyer received his degree from the New England Culinary Institute. Early in 2014, he was the guest chef for the Champions Dinner at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.

Jacques Qualin, Chef de Cuisine at J&G Steakhouse

Jacques Qualin, Executive Chef at J&G Steakhouse

J&G Steakhouse Executive Chef, Jacques Qualin, trained under the world-famous chefs, Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Daniel Boulud, before being hand-selected to serve as the opening chef at J&G Steakhouse in 2009. A native of France’s rustic, rural Franche-Comté region and an avid outdoorsman, Qualin takes pride in preparing and serving the finest cuts of meats and seafood at J&G Steakhouse, accented with the freshest seasonal ingredients and bold Asian and American flavors.

Starting his career with hotel kitchen apprenticeship at age 16, Qualin was lured to the bright lights of Paris to study under Michelin-rated chef Michel de Matteis. After landing a post at the prestigious three-star Restaurant Le Taillevent, described by The New York Times as, “the best in Paris, if not all of France,” Qualin learned under celebrated chef Claude DeLigne before jumping the pond in to work for another French icon — Daniel Boulud at New York’s Le Cirque.

Eventually Qualin’s considerable culinary talent captured the attention of Jean-Georges Vongerichten, who hired him to serve as First Sous-chef at Vongerichten’s AAA Five Diamond and Mobil Five Star Jean Georges Restaurant, the restaurant that launched Vongerichten’s growing empire. After leaving to helm his own fine-dining restaurant in upstate New York, Qualin decided to take on a new challenge, moving to the desert of Scottsdale to open his now award-winning J&G Steakhouse.

Chef Rebecca Tillman

Rebecca Tillman, Executive Sous Chef

With a passion for innovative, distinctive cuisine, exquisite presentation and exceptional service, Rebecca Tillman has continued to enhance the dining experience for guests since joining The Phoenician as Executive Sous Chef. Today, she partners with Executive Chef Rick Boyer to lead culinary operations for the entire AAA Five Diamond resort, direct The Phoenician’s banquet program, and oversee the financial management of several à la carte restaurants on property, including The Canyon Lounge at The Canyon Suites.

Over the years, Tillman has built an impressive culinary resume, working with many renowned hospitality establishments. She has served as the Executive Chef at the Biltmore House and Executive Sous Chef at the Inn, both on the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina; the Executive Sous Chef at Destination Kohler – The American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin; and locally as the Executive Chef at Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort in Phoenix. She began her resort career at the Arizona Biltmore in 2000, while still in school.

Tillman studied Hospitality Administration at Northern Arizona University and earned her Culinary Arts certificate from the Art Institute of Phoenix in 2001. Active in the culinary community, she is a member of the nationally recognized program, “Chefs in School,” which brings chefs to educational institutions around the country to teach children about food and cooking in a fun, appealing way. She is also a culinary mentor for Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP), which helps to prepare students for college and careers in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Recently, she became a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier, an international group of women chefs.

During her spare time, Tillman enjoys delving into her other creative side, painting watercolors.

Diverse Dining at The Phoenician