Evans Hotels Culinary Teams Announcement: Catamaran Resort Hotel Names Paul Arias New Executive Chef

San Diego, CA – The Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa on Mission Bay, home of the acclaimed Oceana Coastal Kitchen, announces a new addition to its culinary team. On May 1, 2023, Paul Arias, who previously served as Sous Chef at The Grill at Torrey Pines, assumed the new role of Executive Chef. In addition to taking the helm at Oceana, Arias will oversee the Catamaran’s catering program and culinary events such as the popular summer Sunset Luaus on the Bay. Arias replaces former Executive Chef Steven Riemer, who has been with the Catamaran Resort since 2011 and recently announced his retirement.

“We are incredibly proud of Paul and welcome his promotion to Executive Chef of Oceana Coastal Kitchen,” said Jim Chester, General Manager of the Catamaran Resort. “We are excited to see what direction he plans to take the restaurant, especially with his decade of experience at The Lodge at Torrey Pines. We look forward to Paul’s new menus.”

“We are also immensely thankful for the culinary excellence Chef Riemer brought to the Catamaran Resort these past 12 years, helping to elevate the dining scene on Mission Bay,” continued Chester.

Arias originally helped open A.R. Valentien and The Grill at Torrey Pines in 2002 when The Lodge at Torrey Pines first opened its doors in La Jolla. In 2008 he began leading the kitchen at The Fishery. Arias returned to The Lodge in 2020 where he became Sous Chef of The Grill in 2022. A graduate of the Los Angeles Culinary Institute, he brings over 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry and takes his inspiration from farm-to-table pioneers like Jeff Jackson who mentored him on a more naturalistic approach to food.

“My plan for Oceana is to keep the seasonality of the menu and incorporate my love of local and wild caught seafood,” said Arias. “After 12 years at The Fishery, located a short distance from the Catamaran, I am excited to return to the neighborhood and look forward to crafting a menu that celebrates the bounty of the sea and land for our guests and neighbors.”

Also recently added to Evans Hotels’ impressive slate of top chefs is Ryan Dzierzawski, former Sous Chef of The Grill at Torrey Pines who was promoted to Chef de Cuisine. Ryan began his culinary career at The Lodge in 2018 and previously worked at Kettner Exchange in Little Italy. Cecilia Leung, pastry lead at The Lodge at Torrey Pines since 2022, was also recently promoted to Pastry Chef.