Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North introduces two key members to the Talavera team–Chef de Cuisine Emmanuel Urban and General Manager Vera Kvashnina–who, together, oversee the operation, menu and overall experience at Talavera. Their appointment coincides with the unveiling of Talavera’s fall menu.
Chef Emmanuel Urban joins the team from Denver, where he served as chef de cuisine at Narrative Restaurant. Raised in Mexico and trained at the prestigious Ambrosia Centro Culinario in Mexico, Urban’s career took him to Barcelona, Spain, for an internship at the Michelin-starred Disfrutar. His commitment to culinary excellence continued at the James Beard-awarded restaurant, Rioja, in Downtown Denver.
Urban’s vision for Talavera involves elevating and redefining its cuisine. One key focus is the enhancements of tableside offerings, bringing a more interactive and personalized experience. Additionally, Urban plans to introduce sustainable culinary practices, creating dishes that utilize every part of an ingredient to minimize waste. For instance, he aims to transform all parts of a tomato into various components, from tomato butter to clarified tomato water.
Collaborating with Chef Urban is Talavera’s General Manager Vera Kvashnina, whose most recent role was at the 1212 Restaurant in Santa Monica. Born in Saratov, Russia, Kvashnina previously worked with Four Seasons as part of the pre-opening management team at the Four Seasons Hotel Moscow. Her expertise lies in guest-experience management, ensuring every guest has an unparalleled dining experience at Talavera. Fluent in Russian, English and Spanish, she embodies the international flair that Talavera aims to deliver.
“We are thrilled to have these talented individuals join the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale family,” says Rita Vale, Director of Food & Beverage, in a press release. “Chef Emmanuel’s international culinary experience will serve him well at the helm of Talavera, coupled with Vera’s extensive time spent in luxury hospitality. Together, they will bring an enhanced level of refinement to Talavera and continue to elevate the experience for our visitors and guests.”
For more information, visit www.fourseasons.com.
10600 E. Crescent Moon Dr.
Scottsdale, AZ 85262