Foodies in the Tahoe Truckee are embracing chef Chris Banovich as a permanent fixture of quality and hard work always striving to serve the freshest of ingredients. This dedication has earned him a reputation as a highly talented chef who delights the public and food critics alike.

Currently based at the helm of Northstar at Tahoe , an annually acclaimed ski resort, Chris is the Executive Chef overseeing total food operations ranging from upscale café to environmentally friendly and healthy bistro eateries. Over the years, chris and his team have won numerous awards in local food competitions. A specialty of his has always been hosting winemakers and beermakers dinners to really link the whole dining experience to it`s full potential.

Chef Chris also owns Bano`s Iceworks, an upscale ice sculpture business serving the lake tahoe basin and surrounding areas in which he has also been awarded numerous best in shows in competitive circuits.

Previous to Northstar-at-Tahoe, Chef chris was on the opening team for the Resort at Squaw Creek in Squaw valley, a thriving 4 star destination resort where he was Executive Sous Chef and interim Executive Chef from 1989- 1997. During his tenure he has worked with celebrity chefs wolfgang puck, Bradley Ogden, Martin Yan , and Jeremiah Tower during numerous celebrity events.

Chris had attended the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco at age 18, knowing this was his true passion. After graduating in 1988, Chris had emmersed himself in the innovative cuisine of Chef Steve Simmons of Campton Place and Lark Creek inn fame. Teamed up with Steve on the SS Monterey, a classic luxury cruise liner sailing the Hawaiian waters and serving the finest of both California and Hawaiian fare.

Blackhawk country club was the next stop for chef Chris Banovich where he was chef Garde Manger and achieved much of his ice sculpting education while opening the second of two country clubs on property.

To explore the cuisine of his native mediteranean Yugoslavia and Portugal, Chris had pulled chef de cuisine rank at Tourelle Café in Lafayette under critically acclaimed chef and master sommolier Steven Silva. Finally migrating up the mountain to Royal Gorge, wilderness and rainbow lodges that are reknown for ski in / out Nordic ski programs with rich culinary programs.

Chris lives in Truckee , and enjoys his family time, fly fishing, wine collecting and his Bernese mountain dogs. He and wife Ashley will be opening their own restaurant , Bano`s, in the spring of 2005.

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