At the helm of Four Seasons Hotel Austin’s kitchen since 1986, Elmar is responsible for the culinary direction of all food and beverage outlets – including banquets, room service, Live Oak and Ciclo. In this role, Elmar particularly enjoys introducing diners to unique flavor combinations and stunning presentations, a skill that has earned him an outstanding reputation and loyal following. Prior to joining Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in 1977 (at Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver), he completed an apprenticeship with a German master chef and worked in several prestigious kitchens across Europe and Canada.

Growing up cooking alongside her grandma in rural Texas, Amanda’s natural craftiness and prowess in the kitchen turned into a full-fledged business in high school. Despite this early success and subsequent roles in restaurants, Amanda didn’t consider culinary school seriously until 2008 when she joined Four Seasons Hotel Austin as a hostess in the restaurant. Drawn inexorably to the pastry shop, she was taken under the wing of the executive pastry chef who motivated her to seek out professional training. Over the next five years, Amanda took on increasing levels of responsibility before her promotion to the top pastry position in late 2015.