Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach – an upscale oceanfront resort located along the city’s iconic boardwalk celebrating the best of classic Coastal California beach culture – has named Frank Barajas as its new executive chef.  

As executive chef, Barajas will develop menus and oversee all operations for the hotel’s signature restaurant Somerset Grill – serving distinctive “Oceanside Americana” cuisine at breakfast, lunch and dinner – regionally inspired, market fresh seaside fare from the Central Coast. He will also supervise the outdoor bar, poolside dining, in-room dining along with meetings, events and weddings. 

“Vespera Resort on Pismo Beach is now fully open, and we are delighted to have Executive Chef Frank Barajas helm our culinary program,” said David Morneau, general manager of the resort. “With over 15 years of hospitality and restaurant experience, Frank is especially skilled at developing menus, assisting with branding and developing a culinary team for luxury properties on the rise.” 

Most recently, Barajas served as senior chef de cuisine at Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina where he engineered a complete renovation of the resort’s Shoreline restaurant. Prior to that position, he was chef de cuisine at Five-Diamond Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, Calif. Other previous stints have included sous chef at Hilton San Diego Bayfront, executive chef at The Villas at The Mirage Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas and sous chef at Pala Casino Spa Resort in California. He attended the culinary program of The Art Institute of California, San Diego.