November 7, 2017 – Big changes afoot at Rio Grill in Carmel. Exec chef and partner Cy Yontz is leaving at the end of the week to take a job as exec sous chef at Monterey Peninsula Country Club.
Known for his inventive and deeply-flavorful Southwestern cuisine, Yontz has shaped the restaurant’s cuisine and identity for the past 12 years. Speaking to EMB by phone yesterday, Yontz confirmed the upcoming changes and said he was helping train his replacement, 38-year-old Eduardo Coronel—a former sous chef at Rio Grill.
“Cy brought such an amazing skill set to Rio Grill and he was Eduardo’s mentor,” said Tony Tollner, owner of Downtown Dining—which operates Rio Grill, Tarpy’s and Montrio Bistro.
“Our industry is pretty wild and woolly these days and what we are going for is stability and continuity,” he said, adding that the menu at Rio Grill will remain more or less the same.
Coronel—a native of Oaxaca, Mexico—worked 16 years at Rio Grill before leaving in 2016. “He’s a great guy and really talented, he knows the restaurant and we are stoked to have such a skilled chef back in the house,” Tollner added.
At the Monterey Peninsula Country Club, chef Cy will work alongside exec chef Colin Moody, replacing Aaron Whitcomb, who left a couple months ago. “The members are very excited to have chef Cy coming in,” said general manager Mike Bowhay. “He’s local and experienced and will provide a known level of quality.”
Bowery said the country club is expanding it’s dining space and adding a second satellite kitchen early next year and is getting ready to host the ATT Pro-Am in February.
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At Edible Monterey Bay, our mission is to celebrate the local food culture of Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey Counties, season by season. We believe in sustainability, and we believe everyone has a right to healthful, clean and affordable food. We think knowing where our food comes from is powerful, and we hope our magazine, website and newsletters inspire readers to get to know and support our local growers, fishers, chefs, vintners and food artisans.
