Oregon-born Chef Jack Strong serves as Executive Chef of The Ritz-Carlton, Portland, bringing more than 30 years of culinary experience and a deep respect for regional and Indigenous foodways. Prior to joining The Ritz-Carlton, Portland, Jack served as Executive Chef of The Allison Inn & Spa in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and held leadership positions at several acclaimed hospitality destinations across the country.

His distinguished career includes serving as Executive Chef of the 453-room JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, where he was awarded Marriott’s Culinary Excellence of the Americas. He also held executive chef roles at Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel and Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa, earning a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination for Best Chef Southwest and co-authoring the cookbook The New Native American Cuisine.

In recognition of his continued leadership and vision, Chef Jack was named a semifinalist for the 2026 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific. He began his culinary career in the Culinary Arts Program at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon, and continues to lead with a commitment to integrity, innovation, and a strong sense of place, creating thoughtful, regionally inspired cuisine that reflects the landscapes, cultures, and communities that shape his work.