Taste
CUISINE
CHEF CONVERSATIONS In the kitchen with Sam Demarco of Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows
BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ / PHOTO BY DEBBY WOLVOS
Chef “Sammy D” Demarco is the executive chef of Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows, overseeing its signature restaurant, Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen, as well as in-room service, pool dining and banquet services.
What inspired you to cook? I grew up in a big Italian family in Brooklyn with three great-grandparents under the same roof, a true gift. We lived upstairs, and anytime we were downstairs, we were cooking! In high school, I cooked to get girls, taking home economics to hone my talents. I have been in the kitchen ever since. What are some highlights of your storied career? I opened First in New York in 1994, during which time I was nicknamed the “King of Comfort Food” and New York’s “Chef to the Chefs.” Steve Wynn would eventually hire me to open Sam’s American in the Bellagio in Las Vegas, and I was recruited by Kimpton in 2016 to open an American concept in their first European property. Above all that, however, my dearest memories are still working on the line with my culinary comrades at New York’s River Café under the iconic chef David Burke. What brought you to Arizona? After Vegas and Europe, I found myself back in the states just in time for the pandemic. During that time, I found myself wanting to plant down roots with my kids. Arizona offered those roots, and Andaz offered the opportunity of a lifetime. We relocated here in late 2023 and are happily making it our home. Tell us about your vision for Weft & Warp? I want people to come together here for a delicious culinary experience while enjoying the distinctive beauty our property has to offer. I also want to make a name for myself in the Valley. As someone constantly reinventing myself and adapting to different culinary landscapes, I am hopeful that here at Andaz, I am ready to push some boundaries with Mediterranean cuisine. What would readers be surprised to know about you? I decompress by swimming, which offers a meditative sense of freedom and tranquility. Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows, 6114 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; 480.368.1234; www.andazscottdsale.com.
So Scottsdale! February ‘24
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