SEDONA, Arizona (August 28, 2013)?– Mii amo, which was named #1 Destination Spa in North America in the 2013 Readers’ Choice survey of Top Spas by Cond? Nast Traveler, has announced the appointment of Nicole Heaney as Chef. With a lifelong passion for seasonal, fresh and sustainable ingredients, Heaney oversees all culinary operations at the spa, including menu creation for Mii amo Caf? and the Juice Bar, as well as for in-suite dining and special events.
“Nicole is a generous and nurturing talent who creates a personalized culinary experience for the benefit of every guest,” said Chris Bird, General Manager at Mii amo. “We are excited for her to lead our kitchen team and bring her natural ability to create one-of-a-kind dishes to our guests here at the spa.”
Nicole’s culinary roots took hold in her youth when she joined her grandparents in the kitchen of their bed & breakfast in northern Arizona. In 2005, she won a scholarship to the Scottsdale Culinary School, putting her on a serious food path that allowed her to work with Enchantment Resort’s current Executive Chef, David Schmidt, at L’Auberge de Sedona in 2009. In 2012, Nicole arrived as Sous Chef of Enchantment Resort, a position she held before her promotion to Chef of Mii amo this summer.
Inspired by the spa’s organic garden, the taste and quality of local ingredients, and the challenge of creating satisfaction without butter and cream, Nicole is passionate about sharing “Intelligent Cuisine” with diners. There is no feeling of deprivation when dining here, only revelation that healthy food can be so satisfying. “At Mii amo, we care about what you put in your body,” she explains. “Whatever dietary requests a guest may have – vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or something beyond – I can create something delicious for them. If they are happy, I am happy.” Heaney also oversees the spa’s popular cooking demonstration program, which helps guests benefit from her culinary expertise after they’ve departed – and until they return.
Born and raised in Wyoming, Nicole is right at home amid the beauty of Boynton Canyon surrounding the spa. She can often be found spending early mornings hiking along the beautiful Verde River accompanied by her four rescue dogs: Dahlia, Daisy, Lily and Odie. On her days off, she and her husband enjoy taking to the open road on their Ducati motorcycles to explore Arizona’s vast high-desert terrain.