About Us
Ken Irvine Bio
Ken Irvine is the principal of Irvine Hospitality Group, with more than twenty-eight years of experience in the hospitality industry. His company operates restaurants, consults and develops concepts for restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, wineries and retail outlets. To date Ken has helped develop over fifty venues.
A graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (Class of ’88) in New York, Irvine was a student solicitor and class president.
In continuing his basic training in Europe he worked with Michelin starred Relais du Moujins in the South of France and in London, where at the age of twenty-six became one of the city’s youngest Executive Chefs while working at the Plaza on Hyde Park Hotel.
Upon returning to the States, Irvine moved from the kitchen to the front of the house and was hired as the General Manager at various restaurants to complement his culinary experiences in order to assist him in the transition of becoming a restaurant owner.
irvine hospitality
Awards
Ken has so far been the only restaurateur in California to win both “Chef of the Year” and “Restaurateur of the Year” Gold Medallion Awards presented by his peers of the California Restaurant Association. The following are some of the many accolades and awards at his various restaurants:
Sea180 – Imperial Beach, California
260 seat Coastal Tavern
Chef/Partner
- “Best Casual Hotel Restaurant” California Restaurant Association 2017
Bleu Boheme – San Diego, California
80 seat French bistro restaurant and bar
Chef-Owner
- “Restaurateur of the Year” California Restaurant Association 2011
- “Best French Restaurant” San Diego Magazine 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
- “Best French Restaurant” California Restaurant Association 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019
- Best French Restaurant – San Diego Reader 2020, 2021
- Best French Cuisine – Ranch & Coast 2019
- “Diners French Choice Winner” OpenTable 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
- “Best French Restaurant+ Most Romantic” San Diego Union-Tribune 2017, 2018
Chez Loma French Bistro Coronado, California
Fine dining 60 seat restaurant, featuring California French cuisine
Chef/Owner
- “Best French Restaurant” California Restaurant Association 2003
- “Chef of the Year” California Restaurant Association 2002
- “Best Chef-San Diego” Critics Choice San Diego Magazine 2004
Chameleon Cafe Restaurant and Lizard Lounge – Coronado, California
120 seat Pacific Rim Cuisine
Chef/Owner
- “Best New Restaurant” San Diego Magazine Critics Choice 1997
Present/ Past Organizations (partial list)
California Restaurant Association (San Diego Chapter)
Past President, Current Director
San Diego Convention and Visitor Bureau
Past Board Member
California Restaurant Association
Past State Board Member
San Diego Hotel- Motel Association
Past Board Member
Coronado Visitor Bureau (City appointed position)
Past Vice Chairman (Co- Founder)