And the story you’re about to experience with Chef Kuylen (pronounced Kwee-Ln) will take your taste buds on a cultural and inspiring journey through Belizean history.
Meet our new chef, Sean Kuylen. Born and raised in beautiful Dangriga, Belize, Sean’s passion for the kitchen was nurtured by one of his greatest influences-his mother. Appreciation of Belizean cultural cuisines was fostered from a young age and later fused with other styles when he ventured abroad in 2004. Through training at the City College of San Francisco, Chef Kuylen learned American and French cuisines and did internships at both the historic Cliff House in San Francisco and the Canadian Pavilion in the Epcott Center at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. He returned to Belize in March 2008, where for a year and a half, he worked as Head Chef at Hamanasi Resort in Hopkins Village, Stann Creek.
Now Chef Kuylen has joined the Ka’ana family as Executive Head Chef. His challenge, he says, will be to put a different spin on Belizean cuisine. “Some people say there is no such thing as Belizean cuisine”, Chef Kuylen shares. But like Leela Vernon asks in her popular Creole song, “Who seh (Belize) noh have no culture?” Chef Kuylen answers and says “Belize does have exquisite cultural cuisine!”
La Ceiba Restaurant will be taking an exciting direction under Chef Kuylen. Our creative modern flair will be infused with classic Belizean flavors to take our menu to another level. We invite you to join us on this new culinary journey””a journey, which according to Maya belief about the Ceiba Tree, will act as a portal between earth and heaven.
Ka’ana Boutique Resort & Spa, a new luxury resort located in the Cayo District of Belize, features private helicopter transfers from Belize International and Municipal airports. The convenient forty minute flight provides discerning travelers with spectacular views of the rainforest canopy, pine forests of Mountain Pine Ridge, and 1000 foot falls, considered the largest waterfall in Central America. Champagne service is provided on arrival at Ka’ana’s private helipad located conveniently on property. Starting January 5, 2009, Ka’ana’s Romance package, ideal for couples and honeymooners, will include the one-way scenic flight
Hotel guests gathered in the Martini Lounge bar with Ka’ana’s General Manager, Nick Davies to sample some Pinot Grigio. The objective apart from just having a fun little get together was to select a new Pinot Grigio to compliment the existing Santa Margarita which made it onto Ka’ana’s first list and has stayed as a staple favorite ever since. After much chewing and slurping (not a lot of spitting, they were all great), there was a unanimous verdict. Sartori, from Venezie, Italy was the clear winner and will make it onto the new list which will be delivered in a couple weeks. There is still some tasting to be done, so if you are heading Ka’ana’s way, remember to ask what’s on the investigation list! Pictured with Nick are Donna and Fernando from Toronto, Ontario; John and Sally from Indianapolis, Indiana; honeymooners Jonas and Nan from Maryland, and Mike and Cindy from Belize.
Resort Accepts First Award From The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry
San Ignacio, Belize -” August 20, 2008 -” The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry named Ka’ana Boutique Resort Tourism Employer of the Year. This is the first tourism award for Ka’ana, which opened in September 2007.
“Ka’ana is not only the premier boutique resort in Belize, but also the most respected place for tourism professionals to work,” said Eva Garfield, Deputy General Manager at Ka’ana.
The prestigious award was accepted by Resort Director Ian Lizarraga at the First Annual Employer of the Year Gala Event, held on August 15 in Belize City. The Rotary Club of Belize developed and co-sponsored the Employer of the Year competition along with the Belize Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
“One of the greatest ways to give back to a community is through its people,” said Colin Hannan, Owner. “The Ka’ana family strives to make a positive impact on Belize.”
The Employer of the Year competition is intended to encourage employment practices that follow the tenets of the Four Way Test, a four-question ethical guideline used by Rotarians. Ka’ana Boutique Resort was one of two tourism finalists nominated for the award.
In keeping with its mission of promoting tourism development in Belize, Ka’ana Boutique Resort was pleased to make a contribution in the education sector by awarding a full scholarship to Galen University.
Following a rigorous three-part application process, three finalists were selected to enter the final round. This final testing phase consisted of a series of challenges over a 24-hour period at Ka’ana Boutique Resort. The challenges ranged from management skills, food and beverage preparation, to academic knowledge. These were designed to test the finalists’ ability to maintain a high standard of service under demanding conditions, to make good judgment calls under pressure, and to be creative and spontaneous, which are just some of the skills it takes to succeed in the hospitality business.
The finalists were evaluated on a point system with a total possible score of 400 points. With only two and a half points separating the top two competitors, Flora Pereira was awarded the Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management scholarship. All three ladies did an exceptional job throughout the course of this challenging experience and we can expect that they will be making big strides in Belize’s tourism industry.
The full scholarship, a value of BZ$16,760.00, will cover tuition, fees, and books over a two year period. Flora Pereira will be required to maintain a high level of academic standard while enrolled in the Bachelor’s programme as well as complete an internship at Ka’ana Boutique Resort during the two years. This scholarship will enable Flora to be the first of her family to pursue a graduate degree.
“It is a fundamental principle of Ka’ana’s mission statement to assist in and dedicate time and resources to outreach programs and to foster mutual respect for all those “touched” by the Ka’ana brand while working for the greater good of tourism development in Belize”.
To contribute to the current global initiative to reduce carbon emissions, Ka’ana Boutique Resort & Spa, a new luxury resort located in the Cayo District of Belize, has implemented the Trade Trees for Travel program for guests.The program offers guests the opportunity to plant a tree on property and offset their own personal carbon footprint.
“As a 15-room boutique resort, Ka’ana isn’t doing an extreme amount of damage to the environment, but this program gives us the chance to combat the climate crisis, while also encouraging guests to do their part,” said Nick Davies, general manager of Ka’ana and the mastermind behind the new program.
Ka’ana Boutique Resort & Spa sits on terrain that has been farmland ever since the Mayans once laid claim to it.The new Trade Trees for Travel program will add to the lush vegetation and fruit trees that already adorn the property by planting a variety of trees, including mahogany and ginger.The program is completely subsidized by Ka’ana.
The new Trade Trees for Travel program isn’t the only thing Ka’ana is doing to give back.The resort has been preserving the landscape and the local culture since its official grand opening in September.All of the furnishings throughout the resort are crafted locally and made with local products/wood and the unique artwork in the rooms was purchased from local artists.The resort also grows a majority of its own produce in an organic garden, which is used by Chef Manolo Castillo to prepare his signature dishes.
With a perfect balance of luxury, adventure and relaxation, Ka’ana Boutique Resort & Spa is a haven for travelers seeking the ultimate Belizean experience.
