Siesta Key Oyster Bar Announces A New Executive Chef, New Menus, and New Ingredients
Sarasota, FL (Tuesday, May 30, 2017) – Stephanie Brown, general manager of Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB) in Sarasota, Florida announces the hiring of Chef Gino Calleja as the new Executive Chef of the popular restaurant on Siesta Key. Chef Calleja has extensive experience in the restaurant industry including most recently working as the Executive Chef for ten years at a very well-known restaurant in downtown Sarasota. Before coming to Florida, Chef Calleja worked in New York City as the executive chef and Manager of three popular restaurants. “Chef Gino is a brilliant chef of superior quality and talent, and we are fortunate that he has joined our team,” says Ms. Brown. “His culinary talent and experience, business sense, management skills, and dedication are going to help SKOB grow to the next level which includes increasing the diner’s choices of quality ingredients.”
Chef Calleja is introducing new menus for brunch, lunch, and dinner along with new ingredients sourced from local and/or sustainable farms. “Siesta Key Oyster Bar is a popular restaurant and I wanted to introduce creative menu items while retaining the most popular choices,” he says. “SKOB has a solid number of loyal local fans who let me know which menu items were sacred” he laughs.
One of the biggest introductions is the sourcing of some ingredients locally, like tomatoes from Sweetgrass Farms located in Sarasota, along with sourcing dairy products Dakin Dairy located in Myakka City, Florida. The Ribeye is procured from the Fort McCoy Ranch, located in Fort McCoy Florida, which provides healthier cuts of beef from animals which are pasture-raised and are never given growth hormones, antibiotics, corn, or any other GMO supplements. The chicken comes from FreeBird Antibiotic Free Chicken, located in Fredericksburg, PA. SKOB’s famous burgers are now made with meat procured from Niman Ranch, a network of independent farmers throughout the US who raise animals in a human environment and never, ever use antibiotics. “We at SKOB are proud to source our ingredient from these respected farms, not only because most of them are local, but also because they are all dedicated to the humane treatment of animals,“ says Chef Calleja. “This ultimately results in a better tasting and much healthier product. Our regulars have noticed the tastier quality in our products, and that is our new focus,” he says.
Among the new Brunch menu items are Cajun Shrimp & Egg Wrap, Crabby Omelet, and Spanish Omelet. On the Lunch and Dinner Menu, Chef Calleja is excited to introduce the Spinach & Artichoke Stuffed Portabello, Southwest Shrimp Tostada, Burrata & Tomato Salad with locally procured Sweetgrass Farms tomatoes, and Seafood Paella. For more information visit the website at www.skob.com.
The new menu is currently available and offers a number of menu items prepared as gluten-free as well.
The Siesta Key Oyster is open 7 days a week serving lunch, dinner, and late-night with Sunday Brunch from 9am-12pm.
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For Siesta Key Oyster Bar high-resolution photos – go to the Dropbox link. For additional press information and more images contact Jennifer Ahearn-Koch, JAK Consults 941.993.3245 / j.ak@me.com / jakconsults.com.
Siesta Key Oyster Bar (SKOB ) is a family-owned, independent restaurant in Sarasota, Florida located in the Village on Siesta Key. 5238 Ocean Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34242 • 941.346.5443 • skob.com