Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown, located in the heart of Manhattan’s TriBeCa neighborhood, has selected Maria Tampakis for the role of Executive Chef.

As Executive Chef, Tampakis will be responsible for overseeing the hotel’s culinary experiences with the mission to elevate the lifestyle proposition through various collaborations and partnerships with other New York City chefs. Tampakis will also be responsible for the creation and execution of new menu offerings and culinary experiences for the residents of 30 Park Place, the residential component.

“When you finally have the opportunity for a dream to come true, it’s easy to stay motivated and get excited about what you do each day,” says Tampakis. “That’s how I feel about returning home to New York City and working with the best in the business at the Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown.”

A Brooklyn, New York native, and the daughter of a celebrated Pastry Chef, Tampakis grew up surrounded by some of the most talented and award-winning chefs, motivating her to pursue a culinary career that began at a local pizzeria.

Following her graduation from the University of Delaware’s Hotel and Restaurant Management Program in 2008, she went on to complete the Culinary Arts programme at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City, where she started a career training programme. Upon graduation, she joined globally renowned Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s team in Midtown Manhattan, gaining the skill set required to thrive in New York City’s demanding hospitality industry.

Over the last decade, Tampakis has worked with an impressive roster of internationally acclaimed Chefs including Heston Blumenthal (Dinner by Heston at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park) and Gordon Ramsay (Heddon Street Kitchen, Bread Street Kitchen). Most recently, Tampakis held the highly coveted role of Global Culinary Director for the Estiatorio Milos restaurant group, overseeing culinary operations domestically and internationally.

“We are overjoyed to have Chef Tampakis at the helm of our dynamic culinary programme,” comments Thomas Carreras, General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown.

Adding: “Her expansive knowledge of global cooking techniques and styles, paired with her authentic taste, will undoubtedly ensure our hotel remains a world-class dining destination for our global hotel guests and local New Yorkers. We are also thrilled that Tampakis has the privilege of being the only female Executive Chef in the Americas within Four Seasons, a fact that we are very proud of as we continue to build our female leadership team.”