ST. KITTS – September 10, 2019 – Park Hyatt St. Kitts announces the appointment of Justin Taylor as Executive Chef of the exclusive luxury beachfront resort. In this role, Taylor will oversee the resort’s three signature restaurants including The Great House, The Fisherman’s Village and The Stone Barn while simultaneously introducing creative culinary programming that introduces guests to the island’s rich heritage.
Taylor comes to Park Hyatt St. Kitts with over 14 years of experience in the culinary industry having worked in a wide range of high-end kitchens from London to Los Angeles. Most recently, he was Executive Chef for three years at Andaz West Hollywood where he oversaw a celebrated food and beverage program that encompassed the property’s well-known restaurant, bar and the rooftop pool bar. Prior to that, Taylor was Executive Sous Chef at Andaz 5thAvenue in New York. Additional career highlights include being Tournant at Mandarin Oriental New York, Sous Chef at Company of the Cauldron in Nantucket, and Chef de Partie at Toppers at The Wauwinet in Nantucket. Taylor graduated with honors from the Culinary Institute of America with a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Culinary Management.
“We are thrilled to welcome Executive Chef Justin Taylor to the helm of our talented culinary team,” said Flor van der Vaart, General Manager of Park Hyatt St. Kitts. “His extensive training and leadership skills, combined with his passion for using the freshest local ingredients and his commitment to upholding Kittitian cooking traditions, make him a perfect fit for the resort. We look forward to seeing him infuse his personality across our signature dining experiences.”
Taylor will be responsible for sourcing seasonal ingredients from local farmers and fisherman to be used in the curated menus offered at the property’s three dining establishments – The Great House, an all-day dining venue offering market-to-table fare with a Caribbean influence; The Fisherman’s Village, an open-air bungalow serving cuisine inspired by the local fish markets; and The Stone Barn, the resort’s fine dining establishment presenting multi-course tasting menus and an expansive wine list.
Additionally, Taylor will oversee the resort’s robust culinary programming, Dine & Lime, that pays homage to the inspired flavors and rich traditions found in Kittitian cuisine. Dine & Lime programming includes:
- Kittitian All The Way: Every Saturday guests can get a taste of the rich Kittitian culture during this fun-filled dining service that features traditional dishes accompanied by sounds from local bands.
- Beer-Burger-BBQ: This new Sunday tradition invites guests to a traditional Kittitian-style barbeque for a relaxing culinary experience.
- Rampart Waterfall Dining: Couples looking for a romantic evening can enjoy a specially prepared meal from their own private pavilion set alongside the Rampart Pool’s waterfall.
- Starlight Dining: With the Caribbean Sea and Nevis in the background, couples can enjoy an intimate starlight dinner on Banana Bay or on the Courtyard Lawn.
- Chef’s Table: Guests will have a front row seat to all the action in the kitchen as the chefs prepare a globally inspired meal and share insider knowledge.
- Afternoon Tea: Each day guests can relax with a book from the library and a selection of tea sandwiches, baked goods and local teas.
- Cooking Class: For guests looking to try their hand in the kitchen, Park Hyatt St. Kitts offers a variety of locally and internationally inspired cooking classes.