Team

TONY ZAYAS: Director of Operations

With over two decades in the hospitality industry, Tony brings a rare depth of perspective to his role as General Manager at Palace. A Miami native, his career spans nearly every position a restaurant can offer — from line cook and executive chef to bartender, server, general manager, and owner — giving him an instinctive understanding of what it takes to run a great operation at every level.

Tony built his culinary foundation at what is widely considered the premier ski resort in North America, where he earned three consecutive #1 food and dining awards as Executive Sous Chef. Driven by a desire to understand the full arc of the food chain, he then made a deliberate pivot to work at Moloaʻa Farm on Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi — immersing himself in farm-to-table principles from the ground up.

Santa Fe’s pull has been a constant throughout his career. He first answered it when he came to open a local brewery and distillery, before returning to Miami to serve as Managing Partner of a premier vegan restaurant in Wynwood, the heart of the city’s vibrant arts district. A period of consulting for restaurants across the Southeast followed, deepening his breadth of operational expertise.

When Santa Fe called again, Tony answered — and brought everything with him.