In Conversation with Ritz-Carlton Bacara GM Bradley Cance

Since his appointment in June, Bradley Cance, General Manager of the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, has been busily connecting with our town and redesigning signature luxury experiences at the resort; a project that includes the appointment of a new Executive Chef, Rebecca Tillman.

Clearly one of the elites in hospitality management, Cance comes to us most affably and open-minded about the nods to the Montecito area he can create. A most welcome relationship, given his resort will likely become a frequent destination to call home for private businesses and nonprofit organizations, as the Four Seasons Biltmore plans to focus on select clientele and their families (e.g. not holding corporate events). Cance mentioned to me he has conversed with the GM of the Rosewood Miramar Beach, the GMs of Ty Warner’s properties including the Montecito Club, and has of course dined at Lucky’s Montecito.

For this report and photos, I met with Cance at the resort. Congenial as ever, we started with the photos of himself and with Executive Chef Tillman. Joining us were his Sr. Marketing Manager Julia Solomon, and Leigh-Anne Anderson of Anderson PR. In my brief meeting with Tillman, she shared, “I am currently in the process of designing menus that will enhance the guest experience, whilst taking note of the incredible agriculturally rich area we are in, along with locally sourced sustainable seafood.” – good news for our foodies and fishermen.

At lunch, my lively conversation with GM Cance went in-depth, with my key interview questions here:

Q.How will the resort under your leadership interface with Montecito and its metro area?

A. We have a robust Bacara Community Footprint Program with four pillars that mainly support charitable organizations. We start with the Chumash Heritage, as the Bacara Resort is on their sacred ground. We are very conscious to honor that via teaching their history to our guests, employees, in our Ritz Kids Programs and our AOTC – Ambassadors of the Environment program. We have a display outside our retail shops, and plan to have more displays and partnerships with them. 

The second is the Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Areawhere we are partnering with them on their one-year anniversary this November 22-23, in conjunction with Hiroko Benko and the Condor Express. 

Our third is Angels Foster Care to support kids locally. One thing we want to do is a packing party of needed toiletries and school supplies at the start of the school year and around festive holidays.

The fourth pillar for us is the Santa Barbara County Food Bank where our employees volunteer monthly to help pack bags of food for people in need.

Tillman has a “Chefs in Schools” program. Will you bring that to the Montecito schools?

That is in process for 2025. One of the most challenging positions in this resort is finding talented culinarians, both chefs and cooks. The Chef’s goal is to partner with local schools and academies for students to learn and grow from cooks to chefs; hopefully for them to stay with us, and work with our company. 

Any news on the Bacara restaurants?

Chef Tillman’s pedigree spans both restaurants and resorts, balancing culinary arts in restaurants and in banquets. If we do a high-end gala event, we want everyone there to say, ‘that was like eating in a restaurant.’ We’d love to have a Michelin Star Award here. We are introducing dinner service in our Bistro Restaurant to make it very attractive to our local patrons from Montecito through Santa Barbara. I would like a brasserie here [at the Bistro] to feature local wines and craft beers, tying in California coastal cuisine. (Cuisine changes will start January through June 2025.)

I understand you are serving as a Board Member for Visit Santa Barbara…

Visit Santa Barbara CEO Kathy Janega-Dykes and her team were some of the first people I met upon moving to the area. I shared that I wanted to participate and be a contributor to helping the area thrive, and was in turn invited to become a Board Member. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity to support an organization that is dedicated to promoting the region as a premier destination for leisure and business travel, and ultimately enriching the community and quality of life. As for other board service, I am identifying a nonprofit I can assist and hope I can provide a firm footprint in the community. 

What is the coolest aspect of your position?

The coolest part is the fact that I work for and alongside the wonderful ladies and gentlemen of our resort, not the other way around. We are ONLY successful through our ladies and gentlemen delivering incredible experiences to all of our guests and have a fantastic and diverse team I get to serve.

As a busy executive, what do you do to unwind/recharge?

As much as possible I try to take Sunday off and spend quality time with my family. I’m an avid college sports supporter and have also been enjoying some of the American Riviera sites and experiences. We live in paradise!

What is the one thing we would not know about you from your press bio?

I moved here with my family; my wife Kris and two-year-old son Cooper. We plan to retire here enjoying everything about this incredible destination, learning more and more about why so many people have absolutely fallen in love with Santa Barbara. I have moved 16 times in my lifetime, with destinations across North America. My formative years were spent in the Bay Area of California and so my heart is here with my family.

411: www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/sbarz-the-ritz-carlton-bacara-santa-barbara/overview/