W San Francisco, an electric urban oasis located in the heart of San Francisco’s culturally-vibrant SoMa District, is pleased to announce the appointment of James McIver as executive chef. With more than 25 years of experience, McIver trained in Paris at the École Supérieure de Cuisine Française and worked with renowned chefs such as Alain Ducasse and Thomas Keller. In his new role, McIver is enhancing the hotel’s culinary program and menus for its catering and banquet facilities, in-room dining, Living Room Bar, and its signature restaurant, TRACE. With a culinary foundation rooted in experiences he gained in Paris, the South of France, and the kitchens of Spain, McIver is approaching each menu as a canvas that expresses the diverse cultural narratives of his team and embodies the brand’s pioneering ethos with elevated twists on heritage recipes.
“It’s an honor to join W San Francisco to lead the talented culinary team who have already informed and inspired a new direction for the Living Room Bar and TRACE menus,” said Chef James McIver. “Driven by the impact that food has in bringing people together and creating memorable experiences, we hope to surprise and engage guests with every soulful dish.”
Under McIver’s visionary leadership, TRACE and the Living Room Bar will unveil new menus that spotlight the rich heritage of W San Francisco’s diverse culinary team through Modern Mexican, Latin, and Spanish cuisines. McIver will also showcase his dedication to quality and innovation by introducing bold flavors and premium ingredients such as Westholme Wagyu beef sourced from Australia and colorfully vibrant breakfast dishes featuring Hi Desert Egg’s cage-free Sunshine Yolk eggs.
“Chef McIver’s passion for his craft and commitment to excellence are admirable traits that guests will undoubtedly experience in each inventive dish he creates and prepares,” said Jeff Ossenkop, general manager, W San Francisco. “We look forward to seeing how his talent and creativity will amplify the new menus across the W San Francisco culinary program.”
Before his current role, McIver was executive chef at The Westin Los Angeles Airport. He was also part of the opening teams of The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay and Four Seasons San Francisco, and contributed to new beginnings at various Hilton Hotels restaurant openings. McIver attributes his formidable culinary foundation and formation to his experience cooking internationally, including in Paris, the South of France, Spain, and Ontario to name a few.
For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.wsanfrancisco.com/.
About W San Francisco
W San Francisco is an electric urban oasis in the heart of San Francisco’s SoMa district. With 411 guest rooms including 12 suites, the hotel’s captivating and contemporary design offers a unique, stylish retreat downtown. Property features include The Living Room Bar a perfect gathering spot for cocktails or an energizing place to work, FIT, the hotel’s state-of-the-art fitness center, TRACE, the hotel’s signature restaurant, and 12 state-of-the-art meeting room and banquet spaces including the award-winning SOCIAL terrace. The hotel offers panoramic views of the city’s skyline and a breathtaking view of the Bay Bridge and is just steps away from attractions including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Yerba Buena Gardens, and the waterfront. W San Francisco is a leader of sustainable initiatives and the first LEED-EB Platinum certified building in North America, the highest ranking by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the world’s most widely used and recognized green building rating system. For more information, please visit http://www.wsanfrancisco.com/.
