Mike Pontifex
Culinary Instructor
Mike Pontifex
Culinary Instructor
Mike teaches resort guests how to feel more confident in the kitchen, so they can incorporate healthy cooking into their daily lives. He excels at simplifying complicated culinary concepts and providing cooking lessons for all levels of experience.
Credentials & Certifications
BA, Western Illinois University, Public Communication and Public Relations
AOS, Le Cordon Bleu, College of Culinary Arts, Scottsdale
Servsafe Certified
Titleist Performance Institute Golf Level 2 Certified
A valued member of our Food & Nutrition team at Canyon Ranch Tucson, Mike teaches cooking classes that break down confusing aspects of food preparation. He loves to help resort guests prepare healthy-yet-delicious recipes that are approachable, delicious, and easy to prepare.
Mike joined Canyon Ranch in 2007, starting in the Main Kitchen, and LEC, then working 10 years teaching in the demonstration kitchen. One of his favorite moments on the job happened when a guest returned one year after taking classes with him. The guest had lost 100 pounds, and was off all his medications. “When he (the guest) said ‘You saved my life,’ I was overwhelmed,” says Mike.
In his downtime, Mike loves to play golf, train his 25 Bonsai trees, and watch Formula 1 racing events. His words to live by? “Things sometimes take a little longer.”