Jesse McDannell is the executive chef at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale where he oversees the dining experiences at the resort as it completes a $110 million renovation and transformation to a Grand Hyatt property. Originally from New York, McDannell experienced different cultures and cuisine early on, as his father was an Army officer, requiring his family to travel the world. He landed his first job in the kitchen as a short order cook and then went on to study international business at Ithaca College, where he began bartending and quickly realized his passion for hospitality. McDannell then changed career paths, enrolling in Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts.