Chef Arron Gonzalez of Kai at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass didn’t initially have a linear journey into the culinary world. But as he found his way into the kitchen and developed a deep appreciation for the craft, he uncovered his passion for the art of weaving culture into cuisine.

Where did Chef Arron’s Journey Start?

Chef Arron attended a high school with Career and Technical Education classes and originally planned on studying Architecture, but when he didn’t meet the grade requirements, he decided to give Culinary Arts a try. 

From there, history was set in motion. In the beginning, he admits he didn’t fully apply himself, but within a few months, something shifted. He realized cooking made him happy, and with each passing day, his curiosity and passion continued to grow.

Fueling his Passion

From then in Arron’s culinary arts classes to now as a chef, creating dishes that make others wonder and crave has been a major driving force of his passion for cooking. Whether it’s using seasonal produce to give purpose to every bite or letting a uniquely shaped plate guide the composition of a dish, creativity is always at the forefront.

He shares that his approach to a plating all stems from how the plate itself looks. It can be a strange looking plate, but there’s so much you can do with it! He took his Chocolate Tart dish for example: the plate has all kinds of curves, he’s able to play with it and use the components to make it appealing to the eye…”always making you wonder what’s in store through it”. 

That same intentionality carries through every element on the plate.

“Each garnish we use has a purpose—it’s never random. A perfect example is oregano blooms, which provide a sweet start and herbaceous finish when eaten with our braised elk baiuka.”

What’s Chef Arron’s Favorite Ingredient to Work With?

Believe it or not, beans are one of his top ingredients to work with! He loves that they’re ultra-versatile whether you’re using the liquid as an egg white substitute in a cocktail, puree or even turning them into flour, miso or breads! 

The Best Piece of Advice He’s Received

“No matter how ridiculous an idea, dish or component may seem eventually – when you least expect it – you’ll come across something that’ll make it work.”

Chef Arron holds this advice close in his daily practice. Not every dish comes together immediately, but sometimes weeks or even months later, everything clicks and there is finally a place for that missing puzzle piece.

What is Chef Arron Most Excited About?

Michelin’s debut in Arizona offers a meaningful chance to highlight not just Southwestern cuisine, but the singular experience created at Kai. Chef Arron speaks with pride about the restaurant, calling it unlike any other. Through thoughtfully crafted dishes, Kai blends global influences to tell the stories of the Akimel O’otham and Pee Posh people, honoring the depth of the Southwest’s culture and history. For Chef Arron, the true excitement lies in that storytelling – creating a deeper, more personal connection to the culture through every plate.