Chef Pierson grew up with the understanding that good food will gather friends and family and that the routine sound of the smoke alarm being set off by his mother was unpleasant. He attended Kendall College in Chicago, IL before embarking on a culinary journey with an internship in the kitchens of Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, CO followed by an immersive management training at Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego before heading off to Phoenix, AZ as Banquet Chef of the Hyatt Regency Phoenix. Shields’ then chose to expand his range joining independent Tourcats Catering where he had the pleasure of preparing meals for Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw’s Brothers of the Sun tour. Next, Chef Pierson accepted the opening Chef de Cuisine position at Tom’s Urban 24 in Colorado, at the time, a new concept for the Colorado market. With a continued drive, Shields moved on to Executive Sous Chef at the Warwick Hotel Denver before returning to Hyatt Hotels by way of Hyatt Denver, Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort and ultimately as Executive Chef of the Grand Hyatt Vail. In 2022 Chef Pierson made the trek across the Uinta’s to Park City where he presides as Executive Chef of St. Regis Deer Valley. An avid outdoorsman, Shields relishes living in the mountains and finds time whenever possible to go camping, hiking and off-roading in his treasured Jeep. Ticked as Chef’s favorite destination is Thailand; though when asked for his most exciting experience, a story of his trip to Zimbabwe alongside the ambassador and his wife takes the cake. A self-proclaimed seasonal fanatic, Shields says tomatoes are the ingredient he anticipates most. Nonetheless when it comes to the classic debate of chocolate versus vanilla … chocolate without hesitation! Chef Pierson prides himself on a passion for creative food, consistent technique, and a desire to establish strong ties with local artisans and farmers all for an end goal of bringing people together over a delicious meal. Shields counts himself fortunate to have cooked with many of the Chefs that have inspired him along the way including New Orleans legend Chef Dickie Brennan and relishes the honor of working in this tight-knit culinary arena.
Menu
