PHOENIX
The Wigwam named Kirsten Seltzer as its first female executive chef.
As one of only a few female executive chefs in the Valley, Seltzer will oversee all the resort’s restaurant and dining experiences, in-room and banquet dining operations, culinary staff, menu development and food vendor relationships.
“It’s an honor to be appointed to this new position and I’m excited to share my passion of food with the resort’s multiple dining experiences,” said Seltzer.
Seltzer brings nearly 20 years of culinary and leadership experience to the AAA Four-Diamond resort. Most recently, she served as executive sous chef for The Wigwam and managed kitchen staff, food production, ordering, and quality and consistency daily. She has been with The Wigwam since 1999 and has established long-term relationships with the resort’s staff, vendors, guests, and the local community.
“I knew I wanted to be The Wigwam’s first female executive chef when I started cooking for guests at the resort 17 years ago,” said Seltzer. “Over the years, I’ve held various challenging positons with the resort which strengthened my management, customer service skills and creativity. But I contribute my success to my grandmother who first nourished my desire to learn and inspired my love of cooking.”
Professionally trained at The Academy of Culinary Arts at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Seltzer was led to The Wigwam where she completed 450 hours of externship and leveraged her talent over the years in various positions with continuous, progressive growth in culinary management.
Designated as a Historic Hotel of America, The Wigwam is an iconic Arizona landmark and AAA Four-Diamond resort featuring 331 guest rooms including 70 suites and two presidential suites. Amenities include a four-pool complex with both adult and family areas, three dining experiences, three 18-hole championship golf courses, nine lighted tennis courts, 26,000-square-foot Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa and 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space.
