Farm-to-table advocate and culinary visionary Chef David Ruiz, featured on Food Network and winner of multiple awards, brings expertise to Overland Park
Overland Park, Kan. (August 6, 2024) — The Overland Park Convention
Center is pleased to announce the appointment of David Ruiz as the
venue’s new executive chef. Chef Ruiz, a James Beard Foundation
competition-winner and International Produce Association _Chef of the
Year_, brings a wealth of experience and a fresh, innovative approach to
the dining experience at the convention center.
He joins the Overland Park Convention Center with an impressive culinary
background. Chef Ruiz has honed his skills in award-winning restaurants
in Aspen, San Jose, Yosemite, and Albuquerque, drawing inspiration from
mentors like Chef Scott Baumann of the Bay Area and Boris Revilla of
Albuquerque at the intersection of culture, creativity, and consistency.
“I am excited to bring my culinary expertise to the Overland Park
Convention Center and create exceptional dining experiences for our
guests by taking ordinary food and making it extraordinary” said Chef
Ruiz. “OPCC’s strong investment in its culinary operation and its
alignment with my values of sourcing local produce and proteins were key
factors in my decision to join. I look forward to incorporating this
philosophy into our menus and branching out in a larger city.”
Chef Ruiz has been recognized for his culinary
talents on national platforms throughout his career. In 2024, he was named the International
Fresh Produce Association’s Fine Dining Chef of the Year. His accolades
also include winning the James Beard Blended Burger Contest in 2018, a
competition created in an effort to expand into and recognize more
sustainable foods via a partnership with the Mushroom Council. He was
also the winner of Food Network’s “It’s Complicated” in 2022 and has
been featured on shows like “Chopped” and “Guy Fieri’s Family Road
Trip.”
Chef Ruiz is of Mexican and Jewish descent, and his culinary roots are inspired
by summers at his grandmother’s northern California farm. A graduate of
the California Culinary Academy, he is an active proponent of food
education and the connection between food and farming.
“Chef Ruiz is a remarkable talent with a diverse and impressive culinary
background,” said Jessica Corona, Director of Food and Beverage at the
Overland Park Convention Center. “OPCC has always prioritized investing
in our culinary operations because it’s the powerhouse behind our
business and success. We are confident that his innovative approach and
dedication to sustainability will greatly enhance our in-house offerings
and leave a lasting impression on our clients.”
At the Overland Park Convention Center, Chef Ruiz will be responsible
for elevating the menu and introducing new culinary concepts for
high-profile banquets and catering events, ranging from small meetings
to large galas of over 3,500 guests.
To learn more about Chef David Ruiz and the culinary experiences at the
Overland Park Convention Center, please visit
opconventioncenter.com/chef [2] or call 913.339.3000.
Overland Park Convention Center: 6000 College Boulevard, Overland Park,
KS, 66211
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About the Overland Park Convention Center
_The award-winning Overland Park Convention Center opened in November of
2002 on a 26-acre site in the heart of Overland Park, the largest
a suburban city in the Kansas City metropolitan and the second-largest
city in Kansas. Adorned with over sixty original works of are and
equipped with state-of-the-art communications systems, the 245,000
square floor complex features a 60,000 sq. ft. exhibit hall that
connects to the 25,000 sq. ft. Edwin C. Eilert Ballroom and 15,000 sq.
ft. of meeting room space. Natural light radiates throughout the
unusually spacious (44,000 sq. ft.) pre-function and registration areas.
Among the convention centers many awards, the most recent include 2024
– 2020 Top 25 Centers of Excellence in North America, EXHIBITOR
Magazine; 2024 – 2018 Prime Site Award, Facilities & Destinations
Magazine_; _2024 – 2002 Best Meeting & Conference Facility, Ingram’s
Magazine; 2023 Best Small Convention Center in North America, EXHIBITOR
Magazine; 2022 Best Small Convention Center in North America, EXHIBITOR
Magazine; 2021 Best On-Site Support & Customer Service in North America,
EXHIBITOR Magazine; 2020 Best Small Convention Center in North America,
EXHIBITOR Magazine; 2019 Best Convention Centers in North America,
Business View Magazine
