Ryan Yates

Senior Executive Chef at the University of California, Santa Cruz

Ryan Yates is senior executive chef at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he leads culinary strategy, innovation, and sourcing across a diverse, high-volume dining program. His career spans fine dining, hospitality, and institutional foodservice, with a focus on translating global culinary trends into accessible, scalable dining experiences.

At UC Santa Cruz, Yates is reimagining campus dining through internationally inspired menus, plant-forward cuisine, and innovative service models that reflect evolving consumer preferences for convenience, flavor, wellness, and value. His work integrates culinary traditions, emerging ingredients, and regional sourcing partnerships while addressing the operational realities of feeding thousands of guests daily.

Through collaboration across the University of California system, Yates advocates for a future where global culinary inspiration meets local food systems, operational efficiency, and exceptional guest experiences. (LinkedIn: linkedin.com/r-yates)