Mauro Pellegrino
ROATÁN, Honduras (July 20, 2023) – Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, has announced the appointment of its food and beverage leadership team, welcoming Mauro Pellegrino as Director of Food & Beverage, Sarah Harmacek as Beverage Director and Israel Navarro as Executive Chef. Located on the picturesque West Bay Beach of Roatán Island, the new Kimpton resort will be opening in early fall, introducing four distinct dining concepts: Alera, Vos Café & Bar, Sea Cat and The Drop Off.
“Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa will feature the most sophisticated and inspired menu offerings on the island of Roatán,” said Pellegrino. “I am honored to be able to lead the resort’s food and beverage direction as the Director of Food and Beverage, and I look forward to welcoming guests as they enjoy all of the fresh ingredients and unique flavors this lush Caribbean island has to offer.”
Pellegrino is an accomplished food and beverage leader with more than 20 years of extensive international food and beverage experience. Pellegrino’s background at renowned hospitality brands includes Director of Restaurants at Four Seasons Buenos Aires and Director of Food and Beverage at both The Westin Lima and JW Marriott Panama – all of which he led his teams in developing and launching several new culinary programs and outlets. As Director of Food and Beverage of Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa, he will lead the resort’s restaurant and bar opening strategy and the overall management, planning and execution of all food and beverage operations.
Sarah Harmacek comes to Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa as the property’s Beverage Director, with more than 15 years in the industry. As a certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, Harmacek aims to elevate both the awareness and service of wine culture to the island destination, furthering its position as a premier Caribbean destination for unique beverage and dining experiences. Harmacek will marry her expertise with the rich abundance of traditional Honduran flavors into the curation of the resort’s beverage programming for each restaurant and bar concept, in addition to overseeing a beverage-training program for ongoing staff education and building local and regional beverage partnerships. Most recently, she directed the beverage program at Kimpton Hotel Born in Denver, leading the program to national acclaim.
With over 13 years of culinary experience in the hospitality industry, Israel Navarro joins Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa as Executive Chef. Navarro’s extensive leadership expertise spans hospitality brands including Grand Velas Los Cabos, Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, where he mastered the management of multiple kitchen operations and the implementation of new menu concepts. As Executive Chef of Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa, Navarro will lead the menu design and execution of the resort’s four new dining outlets and catering operations, in addition to overseeing the overall management of the resort’s culinary teams.
Under the direction of Pellegrino, Harmacek and Navarro, Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa will unveil four new dining concepts upon opening later this year. In addition to these outlets, the resort will also host daily coffee programs and evening social hours. Additionally, Pellegrino and Harmacek will execute and oversee the resort’s weekend culinary activations, including rotating tastings and classes with local partners Roatán Chocolate Factory and Roatán Island Brewing Company.
At the heart of the hotel sits Alera, the property’s signature restaurant taking a fresh, coastal Mediterranean approach to Roatán’s vibrant culinary culture. Alera’s menu centers around locally-sourced produce and celebrates a farm-to-table ethos with an unwavering commitment to sustainability. Fresh tropical fruits and beautifully displayed local dishes inspire the restaurant’s breakfast buffet and à la carte menus while dinner highlights the region’s abundance of vegetables and seafood, expertly paired with a wine program featuring crisp, old-world whites and bold American reds.
At Vos Café & Bar, guests have access to rustic, island-inspired cuisine developed for fast-casual service. Breakfast revolves around freshly-baked pastries, pressed juices, seasonal grab-and-go items and a robust barista beverage program featuring locally sourced coffee. After breakfast, an all-day snack menu including charcuterie, coconut butter popcorn and curry plantain chips is served continuously until closing. Guests can enjoy these locally-inspired light bites throughout the evening as the cafè evolves into a lively bar at sunset, serving classic cocktails and island sips.
Sea Cat is the resort’s oceanfront beach bar, welcoming guests to enjoy lunch and happy hour alongside the gentle island breeze. Sea Cat’s menu features California-inspired poolside classics like fish tacos, fresh ceviche and tropical salads alongside a beverage program of fresh juices, frozen drinks and island brews. The bar’s covered pavilion is fully open on three sides, inviting guests to enjoy fresh sea breezes and take in the picturesque ocean views.
Positioned against the petrified coral wall at the south end of the beach, The Drop Off is the premier destination for resort guests to experience true island living. The venue celebrates the bounty of the ocean with a tightly-focused menu of freshly caught, wood-fired seafood paired with a playful selection of tiki drinks and rum cocktails. Live music and nightly performances add to The Drop Off’s inviting ambiance, making it the ideal place for guests to end the night.
For more information about Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa, please visit their website HERE, and see property images HERE, restaurant renderings HERE and headshot images HERE.
