GRAND HYATT TOKYO WELCOMES GRILL SPECIALIST RAFAEL CARRERA BARRAGAN AS CHEF DE CUISINE OF THE OAK DOOR

Chef Rafael Carrera Barragan will usher in a new era of dynamic steakhouse dining as Chef de Cuisine of The Oak Door a signature steakhouse located on the 6th floor of Grand Hyatt Tokyo.

With a culinary career shaped across Ecuador, Texas and Australia, including a decade at Melbourne’s acclaimed Rockpool Bar & Grill, a steakhouse which featured on the prestigious 50 Best Discovery list. Chef Rafael brings deep expertise in premium beef, wood-fire cooking and grilling techniques to one of Tokyo’s most distinctive steakhouse destinations.

Chef Rafael is tasked with leading a Tokyo institution into a brand-new chapter, honoring our steakhouse’s 23-year history while bringing a sharper focus on ingredient provenance, dramatic dining experiences and mastery of the grill. From Japanese wagyu to premium American beef, every cut is prepared over the restaurant’s oak wood charcoal grill and finished in its 900°C broiler oven, allowing the authentic flavors and character of each dish to shine.

His approach is anchored in simplicity, precision and respect for product: a confident but restrained style in which smoke, heat and seasoning are used to elevate each ingredient.

A NEW CULINARY JOURNEY AT OUR DYNAMIC STEAKHOUSE

Born in Ecuador, Chef Rafael’s relationship with the grill began around family barbecues, where he learned the warmth and social spirit of Latin American cooking from his family. His father introduced him to bold, Argentinian-style steakhouse dishes, while his mother and grandmother taught him the foundations of wood smoking that would go on to define his professional career.

After early roles in Ecuador and Texas, Chef Rafael moved to Australia and joined Rockpool Bar & Grill in Melbourne, renowned for its sophisticated approach to premium meat and fire-forward grilling. Over ten years at Rockpool, he advanced to senior sous chef and refined his approach to sourcing, consistency and bold yet balanced flavors.

Under his leadership, guests can expect The Oak Door to continue celebrating its steakhouse signatures, including tomahawk steaks, premium cuts, seasonal sides, seafood and wine-led dining, while progressively introducing dishes that reflect Chef Rafael’s global perspective and new life in Japan.

The Oak Door is known for an atmosphere that blends a dramatic open kitchen, polished service, a terrace and an award-winning wine program with international appeal. Chef Rafael’s arrival strengthens the restaurant’s position as a destination for Tokyo guests, hotel residents and international travelers seeking a contemporary steakhouse experience rooted in craftsmanship.

CHEF RAFAEL’S VISION FOR THE OAK DOOR BAR AND WINE CELLAR

Under Chef Rafael's direction, The Oak Door Bar will be an integral part of the culinary story at our international steakhouse. The integrated bar invites guests to begin with a cocktail, continue with a full steakhouse dinner, or make the bar itself the destination, supported by classic cocktails, contemporary signatures and quarterly bartender selections.

Chef Rafael will work closely with our bar and sommelier teams to shape wine- and cocktail-friendly dishes that connect naturally to the grill. The Oak Door’s wine cellar houses more than 300 New World wines, with an emphasis on American vintages and large-format bottles for celebrations. Together, the bar, wine program and cellar elevate The Oak Door into a complete social dining destination.

About The Oak Door

Located on the 6th floor of Grand Hyatt Tokyo, The Oak Door is a dynamic steakhouse and bar serving premium-quality meats and seasonal produce. From its signature tomahawk steak to local Japanese wagyu, each cut is prepared on an oak wood charcoal grill and finished in a 900°C broiler to showcase the bold flavors of premium produce. The menu is accompanied by a Wine Spectator award-winning selection of New World wines and may be enjoyed in the charismatic dining room, private dining room, in the vibrant bar or outdoors on the open-air terrace.

About Grand Hyatt Tokyo

Grand Hyatt Tokyo is a dynamic lifestyle destination hotel located in Roppongi Hills, an international hub

for culture in downtown Tokyo. S ince opening in 2003, the hotel has received recognition from t he

world's leading travel magazines, including Forbes Travel Guide and Travel + Leisure . It offers 387

uniquely designed guestrooms , t en restaurants and bars , 16 event facilities spanning 2,800 square meters

and a serene wellness facility at Nagomi Spa and Fitness. With its dramatic design and warm, intuitive

service, Grand Hyatt Tokyo offers a wide range of experiences tha t transform a visit to Japan into an

unforgettable journey . For more info rmation, please visit tokyo.grand.hyatt.com.