Hotel Emma at Pearl, a luxe hotel housed in a former 19th century brewery in the heart of San Antonio, welcomes Pastry Chef Sofia Tejeda and Chef de Cuisine Amaris Diaz to lead the property’s rich epicurean programs across its renowned dining destinations. The duo carries on the legacy of Emma Koehler – Former CEO of Pearl Brewery and the hotel’s namesake – as a female powerhouse to continue telling the property’s gastronomic story alongside new Executive Chef Jorge Luis Hernandez.
Hotel Emma at Pearl Adds Pastry Chef Sofia Tejeda & Chef de Cuisine Amaris Diaz
“I am incredibly honored to have Chef Tejeda and Chef Diaz on our growing team to further revolutionize and make a profound mark on the culinary scene at Pearl,” says Jorge Luis Hernandez, Executive Chef at Hotel Emma. “Their talent, deep understanding of local flavors, and knowledge of the culture and traditions that make San Antonio so unique will combine to produce outstanding culinary offerings rooted deeply in the soul of the City.”
As Hotel Emma’s new Pastry Chef, Sofia Tejeda will elevate the hotel’s one-of-a-kind baked offerings by bringing her innate love for food and creativity while pulling inspiration from her roots in Mexico City. With a previous experience at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon Bakery in Yountville, California, Tejeda brings impressive skills as a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, San Antonio and nominee for “Outstanding Pastry Chef” by the James Beard Foundation in February 2022. She is San Antonio’s first and only pastry chef to ever be nominated in this category.
As an established veteran in San Antonio’s culinary scene, Chef Amaris Diaz takes on the role of Hotel Emma’s new Chef de Cuisine. Diaz previously served as Chef de Cuisine at Vespaio Restaurant in Austin and Sous Chef at San Antonio’s The Moon’s Daughters at the Thompson Hotel. Her experience spans various divisions of culinary expertise from scratch cooking, to menu development, to food waste utilization, positioning her to continue delivering exceptional epicurean experiences at Hotel Emma that are on par with San Antonio’s title as the UNESCO City of Gastronomy.
Read Also: Tribal Education Initiative Highlighted in Food & Beverage
Alongside Chef Diaz and Chef Tejeda, Executive Chef Jorge Luis Hernandez helms a new culinary era for Hotel Emma. The path forward is imbued with cultural influences, culinary expertise, and a deep appreciation for the spirit and flavors of San Antonio with an understanding and knowledge that bonds all three chefs together by way of their common tie to the city.
www.thehotelemma.com | Instagram: @thehotelemma
