A letter from a former president said it all in expressing appreciation for a job well done.

“Nancy and I know how much work goes into the preparation of such wonderful meals, and we greatly appreciate all you did,” wrote Ronald Reagan in an August 1992 letter to Arnie Creinin. “Thanks to you and your staff, our stay was delightful!”

It wasn’t the first time Creinin had cooked for President Reagan. He had done so previously when he worked as the executive chef for the Kahler Hotel in Rochester, Minn. It was just one stop among many as Creinin cut a wide swath of distinction across the country’s hotel industry. It’s a three decade-long career of accomplishments as a premier chef. His stays included exclusive hotels in Palm Springs; Jackson Hole, Wyo.; and Disney resorts in Florida. He then went on to become the executive chef for the Kahler corporation.

Going South

He would eventually land in South Padre Island in 2001.

He was recruited to help one of the Island’s legacy hotels, the Bahia Mar, reinvigorate itself and regain its rightful place on hotel row at SPI. Creinin would find a new home on the Island. He would go on to own restaurants on SPI in addition to going into catering and food trucks. He became a community leader and served on the board of SPI’s Convention and Visitors Bureau. 

“I fell in love with it here,” Creinin said of the Island. “I enjoyed the community, still do, and got to know the business community here and the property and business owners.”

In 2006, he established Coastal Lifestyle Property and Rental Management. The company features private beach houses, bungalows, penthouses and condominiums, and 24-hour concierge service. In late 2022, the International Association of Top Professionals added another major accolade to Creinin’s distinguished career, naming him Top CEO of the Year of 2022.

“He is brilliant at what he does,” said Stephanie Cirami, the president of IAOTP. “His list of accomplishments and accolades are beyond impressive.”

For Creinin, who has battled health setbacks in recent years, the national honor caps a long career he has loved and demonstrates that “I didn’t give up,” a story of succeeding against stiff challenges. 

“It means a lot to me because I’ve been through a lot,” he said of the industry honor.

Chicago Roots, Island Lifestyles

It all started in Chicago where Creinin said he “grew up in a great environment.”

He’s the son of a father who ran and owned a longtime deli in Chicago. His grandfather had a fish market and an uncle was a butcher. 

“I grew up in it,” Creinin said of the food service business.

Just shy of turning 20, he moved to California with his brother. Here, they launched their own deli in Orange County. They would both go on to become executive chefs. Creinin’s journey would cross paths with presidents like Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter, and there are photos on his office walls of him with each of the three presidents.

“Reagan by far,” he said if he had a favorite among the three. “He was always thoughtful and down to earth, a real classy man.”

Entertainment celebrities like Jimmy Buffet and Don Rickles also became acquaintances in cooking meals for them at the hotels where Creinin worked. He also had the opportunity to cook for and cater for King Hussein of Jordan and his wife, Queen Noor, when the king went to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. for treatments. As the executive chef for the Kahler Hotel in Rochester, Creinin oversaw an operation of 120 cooks and chefs, a 14-person European bakery operation, and seven full-service food and beverage outlets.

These days, he’s still busy but it’s more of a life of comparative leisure on South Padre. He enjoys Island life and running a successful condo and beach house rental business. The national recognition from the International Association of Top Professionals is the exclamation point of a life and career well lived.

“I feel proud,” Creinin said. “And I’m proud to live here.”