Testimonials

What Clubs Have Said About Us

We cannot speak highly enough about the exceptional work Denise Zanchelli and her team at DZA Associates did for the Menlo Circus Club during our recent chef search. From start to finish, Denise demonstrated unparalleled professionalism, expertise, and a deep understanding of our Club’s unique culture and needs. Denise meticulously guided us through every step of the process, ensuring that we not only attracted top-tier talent but also identified candidates who were the perfect fit for our community. Her thoroughness in vetting candidates, attention to detail, and personalized approach were truly outstanding.

Thanks to Denise’s dedication and skill, we were able to secure a chef who not only meets but exceeds our expectations, bringing exceptional culinary talent and leadership to our Club. We are grateful for her tireless effort and commitment to delivering excellence. We wholeheartedly recommend DZA Associates and Denise Zanchelli to any organization seeking a trusted partner for their search needs.

Dirk Zander, CCM, General Manager
Menlo Circus Club

Working with Denise and Chef Dan Hugelier, CMC from DZA for our Chef de Cuisine – Special Events search was an exceptional process. They brought us a well vetted candidate pool where each Chef could have been a good fit for our team. The communication and support throughout the process was with great detail, timely, and professional. Any question or request that we had through our process, they were there to assist or guide. This was a process we were having difficulty finding the right candidate on our own and when we partnered with DZA, we completed our process efficiently and with an exceptional Chef de Cuisine to help lead our team.

Brian R. Beland, CMC, Executive Chef | Director of Food & Beverage
Country Club of Detroit
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI

Working with Denise and the team at DZA was an absolute pleasure. From the moment we engaged their services, they demonstrated a remarkable dedication to our needs and goals. Their expertise and professionalism shone through as they navigated every aspect of the search process with finesse and efficiency.

Denise and her team provided invaluable support at every step, from understanding our specific requirements to sourcing top-tier candidates and facilitating seamless communication throughout the hiring process. Their commitment to excellence and personalized approach truly set them apart.

Thanks to DZA’s unwavering assistance and guidance, we were able to secure an exceptional executive chef who perfectly aligned with our vision and culinary goals. I wholeheartedly recommend DZA to any organization seeking unparalleled expertise and support in their search for top culinary talent.

Frank O'Hara, Clubhouse Manager
Dataw Island Club
St. Helena Island, SC

I am thrilled to share my experience working with Denise Zanchelli & David Meyers Associates in our search for an exceptional Executive Chef. They truly understood the unique requirements of our establishment and the vision we had for our culinary offerings. The range and quality of candidates they brought forward were impressive, showcasing their extensive network and understanding of the industry. Throughout the process, Denise displayed a keen eye for detail, presenting us with candidates who not only possessed outstanding culinary skills but also aligned with our company culture and values. Their ability to assess not only technical expertise but also personality fit was remarkable. Communication was exceptional. Regular updates, timely feedback, and insightful recommendations allowed us to make informed decisions at every stage of the hiring process. Their commitment to transparency and clear communication made us feel like valued partners, rather than just clients. In the end, we found the perfect Executive Chef who has elevated our culinary offerings beyond our expectations.

Jason Calkin, Assistant General Manager
The Beach Club
Santa Monica, CA

I had the absolute pleasure of working with DZA Search Firm, and my experience was nothing short of exceptional. From the very start, Denise made the entire process smooth and enjoyable. She is incredibly responsive, always quick to address any questions or concerns, and her honesty and knowledge truly set her apart.
What really stood out was Denise’s ability to connect on every level — she always worked with my schedule and ensured that I felt supported every step of the way. Her communication was consistently warm, welcoming, and thoughtful, making the entire experience feel more personal than transactional.
Denise’s energy and passion are truly contagious. It’s clear that she genuinely cares about her clients and the work she does, which made collaborating with her a joy. I highly recommend DZA Search Firm to anyone looking for a seamless and positive experience. Thank you, Denise, for making this journey such a great one!

Audra Lucas, General Manager
Shelter Harbor Golf Club

Simply put, our experience with Denise Zanchelli and DZA Associates was beyond excellent in all ways. Her communication and attention to detail helped guide us through a National Search of candidates for our Executive Chef position. She streamlined the process with professionalism, charisma and finesse, putting myself and our Board Members at ease.

Her access to, and relationships with, top tier talent across the country, gave us an amazing pool of people to select from and we are thrilled with the end result.

Christopher Vincoli, General Manager, COO
Montammy Golf Club

Looking for a Chef as you head into Memorial Day weekend is never ideal, but after speaking with a few other General Managers, I knew I needed to contact Denise to start the search. Without hesitation Denise placed a great interim chef so I could continue operations. Denise made the process seamless and quick. Her guidance to me and the committee resulted in finding a candidate that was a perfect fit. Denise saved the summer at the club, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. If looking for any culinary professionals Denise should be the first phone call.

Let me know if this works, I am having trouble using big words at 8pm. Honestly, if you want to edit it I will sign off on whatever you like! If you want it longer or shorter let me know. You are awesome and I am extremely grateful for your guidance.

Thank you !

Danny Jones, General Manager
Birchwood Country Club
Westport, CT

DZA Associates, led by Denise Zanchelli, exceeded our expectations in every aspect of our search for our new Executive Chef. Their proactive approach not only secured us an exceptional replacement but also provided invaluable support during the holiday season by supplying an Interim Chef, ensuring seamless operations, and meeting member expectations.

Denise and her team demonstrated professionalism, guiding us through the entire process with expertise and dedication. Their meticulous attention to detail and commitment to understanding our unique needs truly set them apart. Thanks to DZA Associates, we’ve found a remarkable Executive Chef who perfectly aligns with our vision and values. We couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome and without hesitation, we highly recommend Denise and her team to anyone seeking top-tier talent in the culinary industry. Thank you!

Nolan Halterman, CCM, PGA, General Manager/Chief Operating Officer
Hillcrest Country Club
Boise, ID


We can’t thank Denise Zanchelli enough for her professionalism and being well versed in her area of expertise. Denise (DZA Associates) and David Meyers Associates conducted a national search to find us some of the best candidates for consideration. Denise was very instrumental in outlining the hiring process down to the smallest detail. We found the most qualified Executive Chef to fit the culture of Hampton Hall Club. DZA has an outstanding effective process for hiring the best Chef for your operation.

Michael Krause, (Former) Director of Operations / Assistant General Manager
Hampton Hall Club
Bluffton, SC

Denise and DZA Associates were outstanding to work with during our search for an Executive Pastry Chef. Denise took the time to truly understand our club, its specific needs and provided highly qualified candidates. She delivered timely updates throughout the process and her communication skills are incredible. It truly was a pleasure to work with such a seasoned professional and we will not hesitate to use Denise and her team for any of our future searches. Denise, it was a pleasure to get to know you and thank you for doing an amazing job for us!!!

Patrick Colley, Executive Chef
Carolina Country Club
Raleigh, NC

We have all been there – your chef has decided to make a move and you are now faced with the very daunting task of finding the perfect replacement that your members will immediately fall in love with. I have been through this process more times than I care to remember in my 30 years in the private club business, but the last time I experienced this transitional time it was a surprisingly pleasant experience. Bill and Denise were amazing communicators and provided constant updates, timelines, evaluation forms, and a slate of potential candidates within a month – all of whom were top level candidates. From the first communication with DZA Associates/David Meyers to discuss our needs, through the hiring and now follow-ups, they turned the potential negative of losing a Chef to a professional and positive experience of finding the right Chef.

Mark Grisham, General Manager
Black Creek Club
Chattanooga, TN


“…you made this search project, effortless and extremely professional.”

Jean-Luc Degeuines, General Manager
Knickerbocker Club
New York, NY

Thank you so much for your assistance and being right there every step of the way. You have exceeded my expectations in the service you provided here. I also enjoyed working with Bill and he too has been an amazing resource.

Asthton R. Harris, General Manager, COO
The Country Club of Sapphire Valley

“…DZA Associates really made this a very seamless process. They were extremely professional and the experts in their field and were always such a pleasure to talk with!

Jason Fiscus, General Manager/COO
Tulsa Country Club
Tulsa, OK

Working with DZA Associates, LLC for our Executive Chef search was a highly successful experience. They took the time to truly understand our unique needs and culture, ensuring that each candidate they presented was not only highly qualified but also an excellent fit for our team. While their expertise in sourcing top-tier culinary talent is recognized, their personalized attention and dedication was notably evident through every step of the process.

J. Todd Heifner, CCM, PGA, General Manager/COO
Hillwood Country Club
Nashville, TN

Thank you for bringing forth such a high-quality candidate pool for our consideration. You have been a true professional every step of the way guiding us through the David Meyers proven process. Congratulations on the retirement of David and especially on your new opportunity as the Managing Director of DZA LLC. Chartwell G & CC is fortunate and appreciative of your services thus far and look forward to the final phase of the process. At this point of your process, we could select any of the finalists and be more than satisfied with our choice. You have done an amazing job!

Richard Marr, General Manager
Chartwell Golf & Country Club
Severna Park, MD

… You turned a daunting concept into a manageable, organized, thoughtful process. We can’t thank you enough for all of the efforts that went into our search, resulting in what I am sure will be Chef’s great success at BGTC.

Caroline Black, President, Bedford Golf & Tennis Club<
Bedford, NY

The Genesee Valley Club developed a great partnership with David Meyers Associates, Inc. They were responsive, professional, and delivered us with first class candidates. I appreciated the attention to detail and their creative approach in finding us our new executive chef.

John M. Corey, CCM, General Manager & COO
Rochester, NY