Augusto Caudillo Appointed Executive Chef for The Steward, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

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USA, Santa Barbara, California. September 07, 2023

The Steward, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, managed by Twenty Four Seven Hotels, is pleased to announce the appointment of Augusto Caudillo as executive chef of the all-suite, 4.7 acre property, opening this summer in Santa Barbara. As a seasoned culinary veteran, Chef Caudillo brings his expertise to oversee The Steward's food and beverage program. His role encompasses creative management and execution of various culinary offerings and experiences at The Steward, including catering, and the highly anticipated new restaurant, Terra, showcasing the region's abundant agriculture through its chef-crafted, seasonally-driven menus spotlighting the bounty of the Central Coast.

"Chef Caudillo's rich background, deeply rooted in the community and local culinary scene, promises to elevate our food and beverage program to extraordinary heights as we launch our new hotel," said General Manager Damien Abrams. "With Caudillo at the helm, we are looking forward to expanding our local footprint to further highlight our incredible Central Coast produce and tapping into the property's location in Santa Barbara."

Caudillo's connection to the local community is rooted in his personal journey. Having relocated to Goleta, Calif. at the age of six, he discovered at a very young age the pivotal role that food plays in bringing people together. As the youngest among eight siblings, Caudillo experienced firsthand the significance meals had at fostering meaningful connections and creating shared memories. Prior to joining The Steward, Caudillo built an impressive culinary background, first earning his degree at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Las Vegas. Caudillo continued to build his experience within the hospitality space, working at Fess Parker Wine Country Inn in Los Olivos and Lucky's Steakhouse in Montecito. From serving as a private chef to opening his very own restaurant in the heart of the central coast wine country, Caudillo comes to The Steward with a passion for curating memorable moments through his meals.

Caudillo's distinct menus at Terra will draw inspiration from California and Mediterranean fare, offering approachable, produce-driven dishes that are both aesthetically pleasing and nourishing. While bringing The Steward to life, the team discovered a journal on-property from the 1930s that features one of the first recorded recipes for avocado toast. Guests will be able to try the original avocado toast recipe during their breakfast service. Travelers will enjoy thoughtful touches throughout the menu, including herbs from the property's very own gardens, botanical blooming tea service and organic mocktails in partnership with DrinkTilden for upscale sips sans alcohol. Terra's pre-packed picnic kit will allow guests to dine amidst the breathtaking grounds or neighboring beaches and mountain terrain, while remaining fully sustainable with compostable wood wrapped cutlery. A few standout dishes Caudillo has created for Terra include:

- Pampas Grass King Avocado Toast: Crushed avocado, lemon cucumbers, radish, dill, and Terra's "Artisanal Blaze" hot sauce, all served on local Oat Bakery's charcoal sourdough

- Santa Barbara Hope Ranch Mussels: Locally-sourced mussels served with red curry, coconut cream, white wine, butter and Oat Bakery toast

- Organic Chinook Salmon: Organic, locally-caught salmon served with sweet creamed corn rice, spring peas, patty squash, slow stewed sweet 100 tomatoes, and cracked olive vinaigrette

- Hummingbird Cake: Creme fraiche, pineapple compote, plantain chips, local Los Olivos blood orange extra virgin olive oil, and California sea salt

Terra operates breakfast daily from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and dinner service from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Lunches from the marketplace available for takeaway service, with options including its signature avocado toast, sandwiches, and more.