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.

Rob Anderson

DIRECTOR OF CATERING & OUTLET SALES

With over 20 years in the hospitality industry, 17 of them with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts alone, Rob’s Canadian roots along with his Degree in International Hospitality Management make him a lover of all things luxury. He possesses a strong passion for the Fairmont brand and is often referred to as Mr. Hospitality. Having held various roles in his career spanning from operations and sales to event planning & management, Rob's experience and acute attention to detail inform his passion for guest experiences. His grand affinity for international travel and culinary adventures have provided Rob with a diverse background, allowing a greater lens with which to identify market trends today, all while embracing history and authentically local experiences! Rob prides himself in his impeccable ability to curate events that bring any vision to life, aiding his guests to create memories that last a lifetime.

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.

Breanna Neely

WEDDING & SOCIAL EVENT MANAGER

Bre, a proud Arizona native, pursued her education at Northern Arizona University before embarking on her career journey. Since 2018, she has been an integral part of the Fairmont family, transitioning from restaurant management to her current role as a dedicated Catering Manager specializing in weddings. With a commitment to delivering Five Diamond customer service, Bre creates unforgettable experiences for clients. Beyond work, she enjoys exploring new restaurants, attending concerts, and traveling.