Santana Diaz

Director of Culinary Operations and Innovation and Executive Chef, UC Davis Health | Davis, CA

Santana Diaz is executive chef for UC Davis Health. Seasonal. Local. Creative. These words fully define the passion and characteristics that guide Chef Diaz, whose vision has always been to bring a true farm-to-fork, restaurant-style culinary experience to all facets of every food venue that he has had the privilege to lead. Chef Diaz joined UC Davis Health in late 2017 after setting up and executing the Golden 1 Center food program with the most successful farm-to-fork production in sports. His drive to create an impactful program via health care intrigued him and offered him more opportunities to work with the local farmer and rancher community. Five years later, Diaz oversees one of the largest production kitchens in the region – serving more than 6,500 meals a day – and has transformed standard hospital food into sustainable, healthy eating for patients, employees, and the shared community. His experience with fine-dining restaurants and hotel management in the California Bay Area, coupled with large-volume sports and entertainment work, have yielded Diaz the opportunity to bring the high-volume “eats” to a healthier platform while not losing the most important aspect of the meals: taste. @ucdavishealth @chefsantanadiaz (Instagram)