2026 Talent

National and Local Chefs

Okan Kizilbayir
Salt
Amelia Island, FL
@okankizilbayir

Jennifer Carroll
Carroll Couture Cuisine
Philadelphia, PA
@chefjencarroll

Freddy Money
ATLAS
Atlanta, GA
@fmoneychef

Ron Hsu
Lazy Betty
Atlanta, GA
@chefhsu

Clarice Lam
Kaya
Orlando, FL
@chefclaricelam

Dean Max
DJM Restaurants
Fort Lauderdale, FL
@deanjamesmax

Bernard Guillas
Private Executive Chef
San Diego, CA
@chefbernardguillas

Philippe Haddad
PGH Hospitality Group
Atlanta, GA
@chefphilippehaddad

Tony Biggs
Certified Angus Beef
Wooster, OH
@cheftonybiggs

Gilles Schreiber
The Ritz-Carlton
Las Colinas, TX
@schreibergilles

Camilla Testa
Executive Pastry Chef,
The Ritz-Carlton
Grand Cayman
@camillina23

Brandon Carter
Common Thread
Savannah, GA
@chefbcarter

Victor Hugo Solano
Common Thread
Savannah, GA
@commonthreadsav

Dylan Benoit
Prime Kitchen
Grand Cayman
@dylanmbenoit

Tank Jackson
Holy City Hogs
Charleston, SC
@holycityhog

Jamie Simpson
The Chef’s Garden
Huron, OH
@chef_jamie_simpson

Lee Jones
The Chef’s Garden
Huron, OH
@farmerleejones

Papi Gonzalez
Coquina
Amelia Island, FL
@papi_arnaldo

Daniel Mangione
The JW Marriott
Nashville, TN
@danielmangione25

David Echeverri
David’s Restaurant
Amelia Island, FL
@davids_restaurant_ameliaisland

Chad Livingston
Burlingame
Amelia Island, FL
@burlingameamelia

Nathalie Wu
Wicked Bao
Amelia Island, FL
@wickedbao

Rebecca Reed
Pastry Chef
St. Augustine, FL
@thebakerreed

Ariana Aimani
Paramount Caviar
@paramount_caviar

Verousce McKibbin
The Ritz-Carlton
Amelia Island, FL
@chefverousce

Sommeliers and Beverage Experts

Michael Kennedy
Fraîche Wine Group
St. Louis, MO
@winebymichael

Kelly Schmidt
Blackberry Farm
Walland, TN
@kellygiroschmidt

Sarah Thomas
@sarahthomas

Gracie Barwick
Lazy Betty
Atlanta, GA

Simon Crompton
Door No. 4
Grand Cayman
@simoncrompton345

Dominique Jackson
Realm of the 52 Remedies
San Diego, CA
@drinkingwithdom