Executive Chef Kerry Heffernan brings 20 years of culinary excellence, experience and leadership to the kitchen of South Gate at The Jumeirah Essex House Hotel. A part time saltwater fly-fisherman, After graduating second in his class from the Culinary Institute of America, Kerry honed his skills at such highly regarded restaurants as Montrachet, Le Régence, Restaurant Bouley and Mondrian before landing his first post as Chef de Cuisine at One Fifth Avenue. Kerry later became the Executive Chef of the Westbury Hotel’s famed Polo Restaurant, training ground of such extraordinary talents as Thomas Keller and Daniel Boulud. In 1998, Kerry became the opening Executive Chef and eventually partner at Union Square Hospitality Group’s Eleven Madison Park.