Chef Ryan Gilbert was born and raised in San Diego, California. He graduated from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, in 2005 and spent the next several years honing his craft at the award winning Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa as sous chef under celebrity chef C. Barclay Dodge of El Bulli in Spain and Restaurants Bosq & Mogador in Aspen, Colorado. He then continued his ascension through the culinary world at various San Diego establishments including the prestigious Maderas Golf Club in Poway, California which has been recognized as one of Golf Digest’s “Top 100 Golf Courses in America” and Zagat Guide’s “Top Rated San Diego Golf Course”. In 2014 he took over as the Executive Chef at San Diego’s Historic Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows while also serving as the Corporate Task Force Chef for RAR Hospitality Inc.

In 2018, he was invited to be the San Diego representative on The Palate Main Stage at Kaaboo Del Mar. He will be returning for an encore performance in 2019 as well as the Culinary & Artist Lineup Announcement Event.

Ryan attributes his passion for the culinary arts to his Sicilian and Dutch heritage, and more specifically to his grandfather Simone “Sam” Billuni who was a renowned chef and restaurant owner in San Diego during the 1970’s and 80’s. Ryan currently lives in San Diego’s Rolando Village with his wife Chantel, his 3 year old son Ryland and their dog, Sage. Ryan spends his free time enjoying San Diego’s music scene, playing golf, seeking out new and exciting cuisine and taking advantage of the beautiful outdoor lifestyle that only San Diego can provide.