La Costa Resort and Spa, located in Carlsbad, Calif. has appointed Gina Rodriguez Chef de Cuisine of its signature BlueFire Grill. In her new role, Rodriguez will oversee daily kitchen operations and menu development of the 324-seat restaurant.

Rodriguez comes to La Costa from the Ventana Room at the acclaimed Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Ariz. She was the first female chef to lead the Ventana Room kitchen, and the only female chef to earn her restaurant the coveted AAA Five-Diamond rating for 2008. Her success in the Ventana Room also resulted in an invitation to prepare dinner at the prestigious James Beard House in New York City, an honor to which all chefs aspire.