Sam Efron

Chef Sam, a Jacksonville native, developed his culinary style through a combination of formal and experiential training. He discovered European cuisine while living abroad as an exchange student from Florida State University; upon graduation, he enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America. He quickly refined his skills at landmark restaurants such as Four Seasons Hotel New York, Gramercy Tavern, Aqua and Silks at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel, San Francisco. Upon returning to Jacksonville, Sam assisted in the opening of Restaurant Orsay before he opened Taverna with his wife, Kiley, in 2009.