Maynards

Maynards KITCHEN & BOTTLE SHOP

Maynards was opened in 2008. The Bottle Shop opened in 2024 to showcase wine and happy hour offerings.

Roderick LeDesma started working in restaurants at age 16. However, his love for cooking developed early on when his mother taught him to cook at a young age. Growing up on old cooking shows and cookbooks, he found himself constantly in the kitchen. He attended the University of Arizona, thinking going to college was what he was “supposed to do”, but never felt like it was right for him. He left to attend the Art institute of Tucson, during which time he started working at Primo at the JW Marriott Starr Pass. Quickly moving up the ranks, he was asked by James Beard award-winning Chef Melissa Kelly to join the team at Primo in Rockland, Maine. After his experience there, he returned to Tucson, taking over as Chef de Cuisine back at the Primo, JW Marriott. After three years at the helm of the kitchen there, he joined the team at Casino del Sol as Chef de Cuisine of PY Steakhouse. After several years, he moved up to Executive Sous Chef of Casino del Sol working with Executive Chef Ryan Clark to oversee food and beverage operations casino wide. He is very excited about taking the Executive Chef position at Maynard’s and looking forward to put his stamp on it!

Beyond his work experience, Roderick is very involved in the Tucson culinary community. As a Chef Ambassador for Tucson City of Gastronomy he can be found doing demos and events around town and abroad, having been to Merida and Puebla, Mexico to represent Tucson. He is also an original and board member of the Gastronomic Union of Tucson. Not one to shy away from a competition, Roderick is a two time winner of Tucson Knife Fight, was sous chef for Chef Danny Perez at Tucson Iron Chef (winning twice) and winner of the Shamrock Food Show Fired Up! challenge. When not surrounding himself with all things culinary, Roderick can be found relaxing at home with his wife, Gabby, and their dogs, Sirius and Bellatrix or out around town trying as many restaurants and bars as they can!