Guatemala, Lake Atitlán, Sololá Department. April 16, 2018

The award-winning Casa Palopó, a luxury boutique hotel overlooking Guatemala's Lake Atitlán, welcomes Yonatan Gomez as Executive Chef. In his role, Chef Gomez will be responsible for leading daily food and beverage operations, menu conceptualization, and implementing new culinary programming and concepts, at Guatemala's first and only Relais & Chateaux property.

A native of Guatemala, where he attended and graduated culinary school, Chef Gomez spent years training abroad in renowned culinary destinations including Poland, Peru and Spain, completing an internship in Martin Berasategui's Lasarte Oria restaurant, a recipient of three Michelin stars. He most recently helmed the kitchen at Guatemala City's Gracia Cocina de Autor restaurant. His local and international experience comes full circle at Casa Palopó, where he will apply globally acquired techniques while maintaining the integrity of typical Guatemalan ingredients and cuisine at the hotel's 6.8 Palopó restaurant.

"To join Casa Palopó is an absolute honor and privilege, and a milestone in my career," said Chef Gomez. "I'm most excited to further develop the hotel's culinary program with inventive, avant-garde menus that draw from the natural resources that surround Lake Atitlan, and that align with the hotel's high-end and culturally stimulating dynamic."

Chef Gomez arrives during a pivotal moment in Casa Palopó's history, with the property scheduled to unveil an expansion this spring. In addition to six brand new rooms and suites, which will take the total room count from nine to 15, the hotel will unveil a new spa and wellness area.

Casa Palopó is the first hotel in Guatemala to become an official member of Relais & Châteaux - an esteemed and exclusive collection of the finest luxury hotels and gourmet restaurants around the world that set the standard for excellence in hospitality.