Chef de Cuisine, Palm Court, Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center

Chef de Cuisine Ray Anderson is the creative force behind the progressive American menu in the newly-renovated Palm Court. Starting his tenure in the kitchen’s pantry in 1990, Anderson’s talent was rewarded with a rotation through banquets, the position of PM Chef, and ultimately, the chef de cuisine of Palm Court, the resort’s signature restaurant. “I’ve been fortunate to have had a diverse career without leaving this property. The variety of positions I’ve held has offered me a wealth of experience plus the continuity of being a member of this great resort family.”

A native Phoenician, Anderson fondly remembers dining with his father in a favorite restaurant and relishing how “the flavors were so distinct and so right that I would think about that meal all day and start looking forward to our return visit.” Anderson strives to create that same sensation for his diners as he “focuses on making the first bite taste just as good as the last bite.”

On the home front, Anderson most enjoys cooking hearty and flavorful soups for his family, but once he dons his toque, his demanding attention to detail drives him and his staff to create brilliant sauces and breathtaking presentations. “Each ingredient has to be at its freshest to satisfy our standards, which allows for no shortcuts in the kitchen. But the reward is to create that memorable dining experience for our patrons —like I experienced as a kid--which makes them happy and repeat guests.”