The Scoop- This dynamic husband and wife team have been in the hospitality business for decades.
Dana Sordahl started her career after college at The Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel, California, later becoming one of the youngest Directors. Her early success confirmed her love affair with the industry & private concierge services. Honing her craft with wine classifications, calligraphy, floral arranging, & etiquette certifications, she became a premier wedding planner in Las Vegas, NV. “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” did not pertain to Dana. She met Rick and launched a romantic partnership that traveled the globe.
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Rick has been cooking ever since he could reach the table. His grandparents emigrated from Norway at the turn of the century, and some of his earliest memories are of cooking with his grandmother in her cozy kitchen. Chef Sordahl graduated from Culinary school in the Pacific Northwest and continued his education through the French Pastry School of Chicago. Rick began his career at the Five Star Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, owned by the Wrigley Family. Then, Rick had the opportunity to cook for presidents and dignitaries while working at the exclusive Key Largo, Florida private club, Ocean Reef.
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Chef Sordahl has been recognized nationally by Zagat, earning a Top Ten Award in Las Vegas. Also honored with AAA Four Diamond and Mobil Four Star awards at The Resort at Longboat Key in Sarasota Florida and The Washington Duke Inn at Duke University in North Carolina. He was honored by Culinary Trends magazine and participated in James Beard Southeastern Chef’s Alliance in 2002.
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Chef Sordahl’s proudest moment in his career was when he led the culinary team at Aman Resorts prestigious Amangani in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. 2010 Conde’ Nast voted the Amangani property the #1 Ski Resort in North America and its readers voted “Amangani - Best resort in the world.” In 2011, Rick was recognized and invited to prepare a five course dinner at the James Beard House in Greenwich Village, NY.
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In 2015, the Sordahl’s returned to Florida, to the beautiful Amelia Island Club. The club’s expansive renovation allowed Chef Sordahl to implement the newest kitchen and dining trends,, ultimately creating a cutting edge culinary center.
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In 2020, the Sordahl's were called back to Teton Valley, Idaho, the place they have always called "home". They left behind their most prized possession in Florida - their talented daughter, Keri, who is establishing her own legacy in the hospitality business as the Club Manager at Amelia Island Club.
Today, with their beloved bird dogs under foot, Rick describes their return to the valley. “I feel most comfortable with my fly rod in hand wading through rivers and streams.” When he’s not busy on their garlic farm, Rick can be found camping, hiking and fishing with his beautiful wife, Dana, and their dogs, Colt & Ginny.
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