St. Johns County Extraordinary Chefs
The St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, and The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau (VCB) created the ‘Extraordinary Chefs of Florida's Historic Coast’ program to recognize the work and dedication of local chefs, making this a gourmand’s paradise.
“Florida’s Historic Coast has become one of Florida's more popular visitor destinations,” says Susan Phillips, President and CEO of St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, and The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau. “And not just for our beaches, unique history, great golf, and beautiful nature. The exceptional dining scene has helped elevate Florida’s Historic Coast as a world-class destination. There was a time when visitors' dining experience here was mostly fried shrimp and Menorcan Chowder. And still true to our culinary roots, that is an important part of the destination. However, in recent years, skilled professionals and chefs have built on the local culinary heritage and introduced new flavors and cooking techniques and flavors that accommodate the palate of sophisticated diners.”
Honored chefs are those that have made their mark on the local culinary scene. The cuisines and atmospheres are varied, spanning the world of food and style. This year’s Extraordinary Chefs of Florida’s Historic Coast are:
Frank Arguello, Cook and Owner, Jim's Place
Jerry Asker, Chef, Funkadelic Food Truck
Kris Baldwin, Chef, Meehan's Irish Pub & Seafood House
Julio Banda, Chef, Old City House Restaurant
Andrew Berg, Sous Chef, Terra & Acqua
Laird Boles, Chef, Ice Plant
Mike Brooks, Pit Master, County Road Provisions
Corey Brown, Sous Chef, Meehan's Irish Pub & Seafood House
Matt Brown, Chef, Asado Life
Dakarian Calloway, Chef, O.C. White’s Restaurant
Chris Cantabene, Chef, Raintree Restaurant
Lilibeth Carbonel, Chef, Kusina Colorado
Nick Carrera, Asador, Asado Life
Michael Cooney, Chef/Owner, Ember and Iron
Melanie Cuartelon, Sous Chef, Sawgrass Marriott Restaurants
Dustin Dailey, Chef, The Elkhouse Eatery
Robert DeGrassi, Executive Chef, Costa Brava at Casa Monica
Mark DeRusso, Chef and Owner, La Strada Italian Restaurant
Dan Dobbs, Chef de Cuisine, Gas Full Service Restaurant
Christopher Evans, Chef, Beachcomber Restaurant
Kevin Funk, Chef, Café Alcazar
Brian Garner, Chef/Owner, Seafood Kitchen of St. Augustine
Mo Gonzales, Chef, Forgotten Tonic
Miguel Hernandez, Corporate Executive Chef, Nona Blue
Travis Hickman, Chef, Kusina Colorado
DeAnn Hobbs, Chef, Villagio at Renaissance World Golf Resort
Chris Hohnke, Sous Chef, Harvest & Reel at Embassy Suites Resort St. Augustine
Jake Hollander, Chef, Aunt Kate's
Barry Honan, Chef, Lotus Noodle Bar
Nicholas Hurley, Head Chef, Salt Life Food Shack
Norberto Jaramillo, Executive Chef and Owner, La Cocina International Restaurant
Steven Kellogg, Chef, Beachcomber Restaurant
Connie Kingsmore, Chef de Cuisine, Asado Life
Mathieu Landillon, Executive Chef, Michael's/Pesca by Michael's
Aaron Legge, Chef, Columbia Restaurant
Turner Leveck, Executive Chef, Palm Valley Fish Camp
Ben Loose, Executive Chef, Gas Full Service Restaurant
Michael Lugo, Executive Chef and Owner, Michael's/Pesca by Michael's
Edgar Maldonado, Executive Chef, Sawgrass Marriott Restaurants
River Masters, Executive Chef, Blackfly The Restaurant
Genie McNally, Chef/Owner, The Floridian
Dave Moyer, Executive Chef, Gypsy Cab Co. Restaurant
Hermann Muller, Executive Chef, Ponte Vedra Inn & Club
Natasha Olivera, Chef de Cuisine, Michael's/Pesca by Michael's
Simone Parisi, Chef/Owner, Terra & Acqua
Marshall Peters, Chef, By Design Catering
Tasha Peters, Chef, By Design Catering
Ned Pollack, Consultant and Guest Chef, Gypsy Cab Co. Restaurant
Chris Proulx, Chef, Avilés Restaurant & Lounge at Hilton Historic Bayfront
Nico Recore, Marina Munch Food Truck Park
Chip Richards, Chef, Cap's on the Water
Matthew Sanchez, Chef, Sawgrass Marriott Restaurants
Alexander Sapp, Executive Chef, The Bridge at St. Johns Golf & Country Club
Brendan Schreck, Owner, Village Garden Food Truck Park
Melissa Schroeder, Chef/Owner, Ancient City Brunch Bar
Ellie Schultze, Chef, Vilano Main Street Diner
Charles Searleman, Chef/Owner, The Elkhouse Eatery
Sebastian Sikora, Chef de Cuisine, La Cocina International Restaurant
Joshua Smith, Chef, Catch 27
Sherry Stoppelbein, Chef/Owner, Luvin Oven and Luvin O'Van
Mike Thomashunis, Executive Chef, Aqua Grill
Freddy Underhill, Executive Chef/Owner, Amici Italian Restaurant
Marcel Vizcarra, Chef/Owner, Llama Restaurant
Matt Voskuil, Executive Chef, TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse
Troy White, Executive Chef, Valley Smoke
John Whitworth, Head Chef, St. Augustine Seafood Company
