Jeff Balfour

| Citrus Restaurant & Bar | www.hotelvalencia-riverwalk.com |

Born and raised in Galveston, TX, Jeffery Balfour developed a love for his native cuisine and the freshest ingredients, all of which are evident in Citrus’ ever-changing menu. After realizing his culinary passion 15 years ago while studying at the University of Texas at Austin, Balfour switched gears and transferred to Conrad Hilton School of Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Houston, returning to the gulf coast.  While working in kitchens in Houston, including the former La Reserve, a Mobil Four Star-rated restaurant, located at the AAA Five Diamond Omni Houston Hotel, he honed his skills in French and American cuisine under several of the nation’s top chefs.

In 2002, Balfour moved to San Antonio after being given the honor of creating the food service concept for a new downtown hotel property, Hotel Valencia Riverwalk.  Under his direction, Citrus Restaurant became known as one of San Antonio's most innovative fine dining restaurants. Citrus has been recognized numerous times, including winning three consecutive first prizes at Blue Star Arts and Eats.  The restaurant has been profiled in Texas Monthly, Southern Living, San Antonio Woman, San Antonio Current, and Brilliant Magazine. Citrus was featured in San Antonio Express News in 2009 and 2010 as a “Best Hotel Restaurant”, taking silver in 2009 and gold in 2010. Balfour is currently San Antonio’s Paella King, taking first place at this year’s Paella Challenge, where chefs from around the country came to compete for the title. Balfour took second place in the 2009 “Chef of Chef’s Event” and placed third in the “Best Chef” category in the San Antonio Currents “Best of the City” for 2011.

Balfour also received one of the culinary world’s top honors, being chosen to showcase his talents at the James Beard House in New York. Citrus has also been rated excellent in Zagat survey, which referred to Balfour’s menu as “culinary genius”.

Balfour is committed to using locally grown and seasonal produce and wild and sustainably produced fish and game to create eclectic, New American cuisine. He is a proud supporter of the Go Texan Program and the Chef’s Collaborative and is active in the San Antonio community, giving his time to local charities including the San Antonio Area Food Bank. He was also chosen to be in the 2011 Leadership San Antonio Program, which provides a forum for leaders with diverse backgrounds, values and points of view to come together in a neutral setting to examine the nature and inner workings of the city and to discuss its issues, challenges and problems. Balfour is married with 2 children and spends his free time with his children who are active in swimming, baseball and dance.