Kinsella Brings Decades of Culinary Expertise to North County San Diego Resort
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (July 31, 2025) – Rancho Bernardo Inn [1] proudly announces the appointment of Jonathan Kinsella as Executive Chef. With over two decades of global experience and a passion for culinary technique and hospitality, Kinsella is set to enhance the resort’s award-winning dining program and signature restaurant AVANT [2].
“Chef Jonathan Kinsella’s arrival at Rancho Bernardo Inn marks an exciting chapter for our dining outlets and culinary experiences,” said Jamie Lemon, Area General Manager. “From his roots in classic French technique to his global experience and thoughtful approach to seasonal ingredients, he brings a perspective that feels both worldly and deeply personal. We look forward to seeing his vision take shape across our culinary program and to sharing it with our guests and community.”
Before his role at Rancho Bernardo Inn, Kinsella spent his career in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens. From his foundational experiences at Seattle’s Campagne and Cincinnati’s Maisonette to his leadership roles at The Peninsula Chicago and Michelin-starred TRU, Chef Jonathan’s journey has been defined by innovation and a dedication to refined cuisine. Career highlights include joining the Daniel Boulud family of restaurants in New York City, followed by serving as executive chef for over a decade at db Bistro & Oyster Bar at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands. Most recently, he held the roles of culinary director at AB Properties and executive chef at Juniper & Ivy in San Diego.
Kinsella’s arrival signals a bold new chapter for Rancho Bernardo Inn’s acclaimed culinary program. Anchored by AVANT, its upscale signature restaurant known for its imaginative, ingredient-driven menus, each outlet across the resort reflects a distinct sense of place and flavor. At Veranda, Mediterranean-inspired dishes are served in a breezy, sun-drenched setting that invites lingering over breakfast, lunch, or dinner with views of the golf course. The resort’s Chef’s Garden plays a central role in the kitchen, offering a rotating selection of hand-harvested herbs, vegetables, and edible flowers that inspire hyper-seasonal creations and underscore the property’s commitment to garden-to-table cuisine.
Rancho Bernardo Inn continues to lead the San Diego culinary scene with immersive dining experiences, featuring signature events such as the Vine to Table and Garden to Glass collaboration dinners. This past May, the property also hosted its inaugural James Beard Winners Food & Wine Festival, bringing nationally acclaimed chefs and sommeliers to its kitchens and gardens. These standout culinary experiences underscore Rancho Bernardo Inn’s place as a destination for inspired, immersive dining in Southern California, one that will continue to evolve under Kinsella’s thoughtful and innovative leadership.
For more information on Rancho Bernardo Inn, please visit
ranchobernardoinn.com [5] or follow us on social @ranchobernardoinn [6].
Media Assets
Headshots can be downloaded here [3].
Images of AVANT can be downloaded here [7].
Images of Rancho Bernardo Inn can be downloaded here [4].
About Rancho Bernardo Inn:
Rancho Bernardo Inn, a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts L.V.X. Collection, is a destination resort renowned for its exquisite golf, spa facilities, and exceptional cuisine. A true destination for the entire family, the 265-acre property features 286 luxuriously appointed guestrooms, three swimming pools, an award-winning spa and wellness center, signature restaurants, and extensive meeting and event facilities. With an unpretentious style and genuine warmth unique among the world’s finest resorts, the property inspires conversation, reflection, and relaxation. It is because of these characteristics that Rancho Bernardo Inn has been recognized time and time again by leading travel publications and industry organizations, including Condé Nast Traveler’s Top SoCal Resorts and Condé Nast Traveler’s Top Golf Resorts, Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best, AAA Four Diamond ratings and U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hotels in San Diego. Rancho Bernardo Inn is owned by JC Resorts, which also owns other properties, including Surf & Sand Laguna Beach, Scripps Inn, and 16 golf courses under the JC Golf umbrella. For reservations and additional information, please visit www.ranchobernardoinn.com [8].
