Meet Mario Rivera | Director of Food and Beverage

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mario Rivera and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mario, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
I think more often than not the public tends to underestimate the amount of preparation, training and attention to detail that is poured into delivering a great experience, in my field creating a concept, identifying the right management components as well as the staff, to the design of the venue, menus, music, colors, lighting. Culminating with the items that go to their table, the look and taste of the food as well as the drinks, all of them in some way or form enhance their senses to deliver an overall unique experience.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Growing up in South America, food is so varied with so many diverse ingredients and influences from so many countries, that I feel set me apart from other peers that didn’t grow up with that advantage, that gives me so much pride in my heritage.

One of the reasons I choose this line of business is because it gives you an opportunity to experience and have access to many things you normally wouldn’t be able to even know about, it has allowed me to live in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, the Midwest and obviously what I refer to as home now….las Vegas.

it is challenging in so many aspects, but that is part of the excitement of it and what makes it so rewarding, the one constant in overcoming challenges is first of all surround yourself with the right kind of people, because you share the same goals and think alike, as a team your dedication, attention to detail, hard work and most importantly love for what you do will help you solve any puzzles.

Along the way I learned that every market and clientele are so different; I consider myself so fortunate to have worked with such a talented individuals as well as iconic companies because that allow me to ease into each market I worked in.

I’d like the world to know about me that I am an example of how fun and rewarding working in the hospitality industry can be, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
That is a question I get asked often, my answer extends to not just LA county, in LA as far as activities, I personally love the Getty Villa in Malibu, I am a bit of a geek and huge fan of the Brea Tar Pits, the Natural history museum of LA, the Petersen Auto museum as far as outdoors The Naples canals in long Beach is a cool area to visit, obviously the Griffith observatory is such special place, since we are in the city of movies, I like the Warner Bros tour, food wise I go where good food is regardless of the location or view, some of them are hole on wall type places, Colette, Angelini Osteria, Chifa, The Arthur, Los Cinco Puntos, for cool drinks and a great view Castaway and Ballast Point Beach are great spots,

I like quieter beaches so some of the areas in Newport and Laguna is something I always suggest, doing the Balboa boat rental is awesome, you can bring your own food, ipod for your music, wine on the small boat, super fun, restaurant wise The Laguna Beach company, Alessa by Chef Pirozzi, Sapphire, Mozambique.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Very early in career I knew I wanted to work with the top brands in the industry, through research the one name that came coming up from peers and in the industry was The Ritz-Carlton, so glad that I joined that company, I learned so much from them, the process they have in order to identify talent, their training, standards, attention to detail for everything to their philosophy and culture, it was exactly what I was looking for.