Upcoming Event
Free Newsletter
Ritz-Carlton Hotel Denver Names New Executive Chef
Chef Michael Poompan moves from San Diego to head downtown team
ColoradoBiz Staff //April 2, 2019//
Ritz-Carlton Hotel Denver Names New Executive Chef
Chef Michael Poompan moves from San Diego to head downtown team
ColoradoBiz Staff //April 2, 2019//
The Ritz-Carlton, Denver has named Michael Poompan Executive Chef. He will manage the hotel's food and beverage operations, overseeing a team of 35. The property is Denver's first and longest running AAA Five Diamond property, with 202 guest rooms, 13,000 square feet of event space, a 6,000 square foot spa and steakhouse ELWAY's Downtown.
Poompan began his career at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, he has worked with the Renaissance Long Beach Hotel, reopened The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage, and recently served as the Executive Chef of the Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa. The philosophy at the heart of Poompan's cuisine focuses on simple food created with sustainable sources and ingredients that celebrate local farmers, artisans, anglers and ranchers.
"As I discover Colorado’s ingredients and seasonality, I am excited to craft menu favorites, new dishes and memorable events with fresh creativity," Poompan says.
Poompan has introduced a hotel-wide campaign to reduce food plastic waste with daily steps that impact the hotel’s no-waste efforts. Additionally, Michael and his team look forward to collaborating with local partners like the Colorado Restaurant Foundation’s ProStart program, which focuses on culinary education for aspirational chefs at local high schools. Chef Poompan is passionate about connecting to his community, with a priority on children and improving knowledge of nutrition. In 2010, he was invited to Washington D.C. for a kickoff event with Michelle Obama for the Chefs Move to Schools initiative and looks forward to serving local Denver organizations.
