South Asian Weddings Meet the Southwest

Conor Favre

EXECUTIVE CHEF

"Sourcing the best ingredients is key, what you do with it is what makes it great. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing happy people enjoying the creation of memorable food."

As the Executive Chef of the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Chef Conor Favre brings vision and leadership to this AAA Five Diamond resort. Chef Conor will oversee the culinary aspects of the hotel's top-rated restaurants, in-room dining, food and beverage for our six sparkling pools, banquets and catering. Chef Conor brings a distinctive enthusiasm to his role, while focusing on sourcing and incorporating authentically local ingredients and driving quality with consistently high standards in dishes that are approachable to everyone. In his previous position at The St. Regis, he expanded his knowledge in the overall food and beverage operation as the Director of Food and Beverage. Prior to The St. Regis, he was the Executive Chef at The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa for Ko'Sin and the Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond restaurant, Kai. Chef Favre has also served as the Executive Sous Chef at Arizona Biltmore for Frank & Albert's and Wright's.

Shachi Mehra

PARTNER & EXECUTIVE CHEF AT ADYA

Chef Shachi has a passion for creating innovative and thoughtful menus that tastefully balance a variety of flavors and make cuisines appealing to a range of tastes. An ardent supporter of local farmers and sustainable practices, she takes great care in sourcing her ingredients. Born in India, her early family experiences helped to develop and shape her love of food and appreciation for balance, in flavors and in life. Chef Shachi blends Western and Indian cultures to create artful dishes that successfully marry tradition with modernity.

Chef Shachi has become known for bringing a unique global perspective to her work, which can be attributed to eight-month culinary journey through India, Japan and Australia. Upon her return, she went on to sharpen her skills in some of the most demanding kitchens in this country. She served as Sous Chef at the award-winning Bombay Club in Washington, D.C.; opening Sous Chef at Bocanova, a successful Pan American restaurant in Jack London Square in Oakland, CA; and Executive Sous Chef at Junnoon, a modern Indian restaurant in Palo Alto, where Chef Shachi was named one of five 'Rising Stars' by Gentry Magazine. Prior to opening ADYA, Chef Shachi received great press and acclaim as the opening chef at Tamarind of London in Newport Coast.

Most recently, Chef Shachi received national attention after emerging victorious on Food Network’s Chopped! On the heels of her victory, she was named 2019 “Rising Star Chef” in the Golden Foodie Awards, a people’s choice competition.

Sally Kukla

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF CATERING

Sally has been part of the Fairmont family for 12 years and actively engaged in the Presidents Circle Program. With style, creativity and a commitment to excellence, Sally Kukla designs and executes events that achieve her clients' expectations. From small and intimate gatherings to grand galas and fundraisers, each event is met with enthusiasm and innovative concepts tailored to fulfil her client’s visions. A lifelong resident of Phoenix and a graduate of Arizona State University, her 20+ years of industry experience endow her with a comprehension of event design, coordination and execution. Just as important, she knows when not to settle, when to challenge boundaries and when to dream even bigger.

In her free time, she enjoys weekend getaways to the beach, shopping, but most importantly spending quality time with her husband and two girls. Best known for her energetic laugh, she believes that kindness should be thrown around like confetti. She is one of the most tireless and dedicated people you will meet.

Makenzie Farleo

EVENT SPECIALIST MANAGER

With over 6 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry and a MBA, Makenzie has cultivated a strong foundation in service, operations, creativity, and coordination. She has a deep passion for creating unforgettable moments—especially within the catering events industry. Alongside nearly 3 years at the property, Makenzie brings a diverse background in planning and executing memorable events, including weddings, corporate parties, and special celebrations. From initial planning to flawless execution, she thrives on the details that bring a vision to life. Makenzie takes pride in bringing that expertise to every celebration she touches. Whether it's an intimate celebration with friends and family or a grand affair, she believes every event deserves a flawless, personalized experience. 

Outside of work, she enjoys dancing, traveling, and listening to reggae music with family and friends. Growing up as a ballerina, she understands the importance of putting on a flawless show! Her favorite quote is “Leave your baggage at the door to so you are fully present in the moment to be the best you can be and be intentional with everything you do!”

Brandi Henggeler

SENIOR CATERING SALES MANAGER & WEDDING SPECIALIST

With more than 20 years of experience in hospitality and event planning, Brandi brings a wealth of knowledge in catering sales, event execution, and resort wedding oversite. Her extensive background includes local corporate and social events, as well as curating stunning destination and cultural weddings, allowing her to offer unparalleled bridal expertise to the Fairmont Princess Team. A proud Arizona native, Brandi is also a devoted mom to two wonderful children and enjoys cherishing quality time with her husband and family, both at home and while traveling.