San Vicente Resort Welcomes New Front of House Manager, Chuck Kast

Chuck Kast brings more than 12 years of experience as a restaurant general manager and a proven track record of leading large teams in fast-paced environments. As our Front of House Manager, Kast oversees the service staff, the bar, live music, and more, including Meet the Winemaker and Trivia Night. He works closely with the chef, kitchen staff, as well as front-of-house employees, collaborating across San Vicente Resort amenities, such as catering, golf, and the Lodge. He says his experience has prepared him well to support the staff and guide operations here at San Vicente Resort.

He plans to elevate the dining experience at The Oaks Grille by pairing his service expertise and knowledge of upscale cocktails, wine, and craft beer with the excellent menu Chef Ben has created. The vision he has for The Par Lounge and Deck is a family-friendly atmosphere with attentive service. He aims to understand the demographics and create a beer and cocktail menu that reflects the community. He was also excited to introduce his Bacon Old Fashioned to the San Vicente Resort recently, and it’s now a popular drink.

What stands out about Chuck is how much he cares about making every guest’s visit a memorable one. Hospitality has always been a passion of his, and it means a great deal to him that guests choose to spend their time at the resort when they have a lot of other options. When describing his service philosophy, Kast says he holds himself to the highest standards to ensure every guest enjoys a special experience.

He plans to encourage the service staff by working alongside them and showing that he would never ask them to do anything he wouldn’t do himself. ‘I like to lead by example and ensure that my team is always set up for success,’ says Kast. He also emphasizes that training is essential to creating a wonderful experience for guests.

In this industry, balancing cost-control with high-quality dining experiences is crucial. Kast intends to maintain that balance through cross-training, waste reduction, and smart scheduling. He has experience working with vendors and says it's always important to select quality products and negotiate prices. It's also important to stay informed on new industry trends.

Hospitality is about connection, and Kast's primary goal is to host guests in the restaurants and catered group settings with excellent service and a welcoming atmosphere. He will gather guest feedback and raise service standards to further enhance theme nights, such as Trivia Night and Meet the Winemaker. He wants to make sure every guest feels like part of the San Vicente Resort family.

If he had to describe his ideal guest experience at San Vicente Resort, he says it comes down to consistently exceeding expectations and making it a memorable experience. In his opinion, what sets San Vicente apart from other venues in the region is the upscale experience at a reasonable price point.

As he begins this new chapter, he is hopeful that this will be the final stop in his career. "After researching the resort, I really liked the golf course, the food, and learning more about Ramona," says Kast. He sees a great deal of potential and is excited to be a part of the San Vicente family.

Please join us in welcoming Chuck Kast to the San Vicente Resort team. Next time you visit The Oaks Grille, Par Lounge, or one of the events at the resort, be sure to say hello to our very tall new Front of House Manager—we’re glad to have him here.