A chef pours a glossy sauce over a plated steak with vegetables on a white table, glass of red wine nearby, elegant dining setting.
A man in a white shirt stands outdoors with arms crossed, in front of green shrubs and trees, a calm, confident pose.

Chef Emanuel Zarlenga

Executive Chef, Birdwood Mansion

Hailing from Argentina, Chef Emanuel Zarlenga's career has taken him from the great culinary capitals of Paris and Lyon to premier luxury resorts throughout the Americas. Most recently, Chef Zarlenga served as executive chef at Amrit Ocean Resort on Singer Island, Florida, where he oversaw a food and beverage operation centered around wellness-driven luxury cuisine. His leadership experience also includes The Ritz-Carlton in Fort Lauderdale and Washington, D.C.; the iconic Alvear Palace Hotel; and Four Seasons Buenos Aires.

A graduate of the Ecole Ritz Escoffier, he is known for his unique expertise in ancient cooking techniques, wood-fired grilling, advanced meat maturation and sustainable sourcing practices. Emmanuel’s technical foundation is rooted at the highest level in legendary establishments such as the three-Michelin-starred L'Arpège and the Hotel Ritz Paris.

Chef Zarlenga now serves as the executive chef for Birdwood Mansion, where his philosophy of honoring ingredients, place and provenance resonates deeply with the legacy of the land.

Culinary Moments

Guest Residence Chefs

Birdwood Mansion plays host to an ever-evolving calendar of culinary moments, welcoming guest residence chefs from near and far. These celebrated talents collaborate with our in-house culinary team to craft exclusive menus and pop-up dining experiences. From multi-course wine dinners to chef-led demos and interactive tastings, these events bring fresh perspective and creative flair to our historic table.

Birdwood Mansion

Chef Ronald Duprat

Visiting Dates: June 12 - 13

Ron Duprat is an award-winning chef celebrated for blending rich Haitian and Caribbean heritage flavors with French accents. A standout on Top Chef, he has also appeared on Iron Chef America, Bar Rescue and Beat Bobby Flay, and has been featured by The Huffington Post, Essence Magazine, Oprah Magazine and The Today Show. Named Industry Chef of the Year by the Black Culinarian Alliance, Duprat has cooked for multiple celebrities including Barack and Michelle Obama, Jay-Z, Beyoncé and Usher. He also serves with the U.S. Department of State’s Chef Corps and is a passionate advocate for food justice, childhood nutrition and culinary education worldwide.

​ View Chef's Menu

Reserve Your Table

A chef in a white jacket stands by a table in a bright, airy dining area with plants and empty chairs, ready to serve.

Chef Mathieu Chartron

Chef Mathieu Chartron served as the inaugural guest chef at The Dining Room at Birdwood Mansion, helping launch the restaurant during the opening of the mansion April 22 - May 3. Raised in his family’s hotel and restaurant in Saint-Donat-sur-l’Herbasse, France, Chartron built his career in acclaimed kitchens including Restaurant Guy Savoy in Paris and Las Vegas before returning home to lead his family’s celebrated restaurant focused on seasonal ingredients and black truffles. During his residency, guests experienced curated three-course and six-course tasting menus that marked the beginning of Birdwood Mansion’s guest chef series.