Written by Elizabeth Brunton
This article was originally published in the April 2025 Issue of Coronado Magazine. To read this article and more from Coronado Magazine, click the button below.
As a young 20-year-old in the 1970s, Beverly Bass moved from Pomona to San Diego and quickly fell in love with the city. She was drawn to a career in the food and beverage industry. Beverly said that her mom was a “phenomenal cook – with fabulous presentations of food and fresh flowers.” Inspired by her mother, she took some classes in it, and she too embraced hospitality.
She worked first at the Sheraton and then at the Half Moon Inn before joining the Hotel del Coronado. She progressed from Banquet Captain to Food Trainer, Assistant Food and Beverage Director, and, finally, for twelve years, Food and Beverage Director and Senior Vice President at the Hotel del Coronado—all accomplished in a field dominated by men.
When she was the Food and Beverage Director, she was one of two women nationwide who held that position. As such, she was responsible for all food and drink served at the hotel, which included five restaurants, four bars, a pool shack, a 24-hour deli, and room service. Her alarm would go off at 4:30 a.m., and she would be at her desk at 5:15 a.m. every day, working 16-18 hours a day.
Larry Lawrence owned the Del during Beverly’s tenure at the hotel. She shared several stories about him. Beverly had been hired as the Food and Beverage Director for 14 months, and it was Christmas time. Employees were getting turkey and bonuses based on how long they had been employed at the Del. Beverly received a check for $36.00 and no turkey. She made an appointment to see Mr. Lawrence. She asked him, “When is the F&B director arriving?” and he responded, “You’re looking at her. See my attorney, and you’ll sign a contract.” When she returned to her office, there was a counter offer from Larry Lawrence: “Enclosed is a check for $150,000.00 – you won’t have time to cook a turkey.”
She said that Larry Lawrence was a “brilliant entrepreneur” and had great business acumen but admitted that he wasn’t especially popular in Coronado. When acquaintances would pressure her to tell “me about Larry,” she always responded, “This is what I would like to tell you: if you sign my check every other week.”
Her creativity, love of entertaining, and sense of design are evident in all the memorable events that she planned. Under her two budgets, holidays and other large events were noteworthy at the Del—no detail was forgotten. In her role as Director, she worked closely with the clients and the chefs, both challenging and demanding tasks. She was able to accommodate the special requests of celebrities, including Presidents, with grace, calm, and a sense of humor.
She was especially fond of running the hotel for the Academy Award reception in 1982. The Hotel del Coronado hosted a meeting between President Reagan and President Miguel de la Madrid of Mexico. Of course, in her role as Director, Beverly oversaw everything, including ensuring that the room was ready when the guests arrived. Her leg was in a walking cast; she had as many as four assistants on duty, including one who became light-headed and had to sit down and put her head between her legs. President Reagan came over and said, “What’s wrong with Beverly?” and pulled her up by her lapel. She was so embarrassed. Two weeks later, two cans of wine from President Reagan’s staff were sent to her office.
She received another note that morning, and when she opened it, it was from Mr. Lawrence: “Enclosed is a check for $150,000.00.” She continued to help with events in Coronado, especially doing the one in Coronado Cookbook!
Running on the beach was a way that she could cope with her demanding career. In fact, she ran two half marathons. As she was approaching retirement, she told friends, “I’m going to sit on the beach with a picnic basket, wine, and a French baguette!” Upon her retirement, Beverly decided to write a cookbook. She realized that there was a demand and interest to share recipes and entertainment tips related to the Del since hotel guests very often asked for recipes. She reported, “I had to get Larry’s approval and arrange a food tour.” Larry Lawrence granted her the permission that she needed. The cookbook with recipes had to be adapted for serving groups of 300, and she was able to go into the kitchen at the Del and try out recipes.
She remembers fondly meeting Julia Child during one of her book signings when they were assigned to work together. They went out to dinner together when they returned. Five years later, she authored a second cookbook called Sampling Americana – A Collection of Recipes for Easy Holiday Entertaining. She continued her passion for cooking by traveling the world. Later she went on to teach cooking classes in Spain.
Today, she enjoys walking, playing bridge, and sharing stories from her illustrious career.
True to its mission to serve as Coronado’s primary center for community history, the Coronado Historical Association (CHA) conducts educational and research programs about Coronado’s history and people.
More photos of Beverly Bass:
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