Staff Profiles
Our Staff
When it comes to tying the knot, Marriott’s Certified Wedding Planners are an important part of your special day. Our expert wedding event planners provide complimentary services, handling all of the event details and working closely with you and your wedding planner to ensure the perfect wedding.
Celso Pinto: Executive Chef
No stranger to the Marriott Family, The San Juan Marriott’s new Executive Chef – Celso Pinto, began his career at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino thirteen years ago.
Since that time, Celso has been instrumental in his contribution to several prominent Marriott properties – namely the Panama Marriott, the Santiago Marriott hotel in Chile, The Costa do Sauipe Marriott and the Renaissance Costa Do Sauipe Resort, both in Bahia, Brasil.
With a culinary style of Latin American fusion influenced by Asian and European tastes, Celso Pinto brings to his position as Executive Chef of the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, many years of experience that prove to enhance and enliven the food & beverage offerings that the property has to offer.
Jan Erichsen: Executive Sous Chef
Born in Rendsburg, Germany – Jan decided early on that he wanted to pursue a culinary career.
After completing his apprenticeship and working on several ships in the German Navy, Erichsen began a culinary journey that took him to Bavaria – where he worked for Hilton and Holiday Inn in both Munich and Switzerland.
In 1996 he joined the Marriott family in Frankfurt. Jan has been a part of the San Juan Marriott since May 2000.
Jorge Jara: Banquet Chef
Jorge Jara, who was born in the south of Chile, says he was born to be a chef because he always enjoyed cooking. He credits and is thankful for the continuous support and encouragement that he received from his father, in his pursuit for that career choice. This enabled him to have the opportunity to study International Cooking at the prestigious Institute CIES INACAP de Santiago de Chile.
When he graduated from the Institute after finishing his studies, Jara worked at the Park Plaza Radisson and Sheraton hotels in Santiago before joining Marriott International there in 1999.
He moved to Puerto Rico in 2003, when he was promoted by the Marriott organization to their showcase hotel, the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino. Jara has enjoyed working at the hotel and being on the Island ever since!
Federico Hita: Pastry Chef
Federico Hita studied culinary arts at the Hotel School of Puerto Rico. For the past five years he has applied his knowledge, education, experience and personal creativity as Pastry Chef of the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino – where he has been creating unique and delicious desserts for our four diamond Ristorante Tuscany. Chef Hita is an award winning Pastry Chef with a reputation for creating new designs emphasizing texture, form, sauce and flavor with an International flair.
Maria Salas: Cook 3
Maria studied culinary arts at the Hotel School of Puerto Rico. Maria has worked alongside some of the best Chefs in Puerto Rico. For the past 12 years she has been part of the San Juan Marriott family and our pastry team.
Luz Cruz: Cook 3
Luz studied International Pastry at the Universal Education Institute and graduated in 1995, also she studied Advanced Floral Design at the University of Puerto Rico. In 1995 Luz joined the San Juan Marriott to work on her apprenticeship, soon after she was asked to stay – and has been sharing her passion for chocolate with us ever since.
Annette Cereceda: Director of Event Planning and Operations:
Describing herself as unique and creative, while specializing in conventions, social events, wedding planning and corporate events, Annette started in 1996 as part of the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau team as a destination Sales Executive. In 2000, she moved onto an exciting new experience working for Events Tropical and Stage Crew Audiovisual Inc.learning every detail of how to create a kaleidoscope of tropical events! In 2003, Annette moved into the hotel industry by joining the Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort Golf and Spa as a Catering Manager to become an Event Conference Service Manager and finally being named Associate Director of Catering. In 2006, Annette joined the Marriott family at the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino as Director of Event Planning & Operations.
Omar Negrón: Associate Director of Catering:
One of the Island’s premier wedding consultants and social event planners, Omar obtained a Masters in Floral Design from the American Art School and later on from the Iberoamerican Art School in Spain. He started in 1995 with his own special event and planning company preparing events for local and international clients. By 1999, Omar had represented Puerto Rico in several design and floral competitions bringing several 1st and 2nd places. In 2000, he participated in several events such as the Rose Parade, he was one of the consultant designers for a White House Dinner, worked as part of the team at the wedding of our ex-governor’s daughter, dealt with promotions for the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, and planned several significant cultural weddings. In 2002 he decided to come on board and be part of the San Juan Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino as a Sales and Event Manager later on becoming Associated Director on Catering.
Cindy Kim Aldea Venegas: Social Sales Coordinator:
Cindy recently joined the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino as Social Sales Coordinator. She is a certified Wedding Planner for the Marriott Family.
Born in Ponce, PR, Cindy has a Bachelor's Degree in Music from the New England Conservatory of Music and has completed studies abroad at the Luodovico di Vittoria Conservatory, where she earned a degree in Voice, Acting and Italian.
Ms. Aldea found her passion for the hospitality industry while working in the sales department at the Embassy Suites Hotel & Casino in Isla Verde. As part of the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino team, she brings creativity and youthful enthusiasm to wedding plans and events, contributing to the unforgettable Caribbean destination wedding experience at the San Juan Marriott Resort.