The Luminary Hotel & Co, the new luxury waterfront accomodations in downtown Fort Myers, has announced the appointment of Samuel Kaufman as the executive sous chef for all food and beverage operations and outlets at the hotel, including The Silver King Ocean Brasserie, Ella Mae’s Diner, Beacon Social Drinkery and Oxbow Bar & Grill. In his new position, Kaufman will direct daily culinary operations, as well as oversee food and beverage offerings for meetings, corporate events, local catering functions, and special occasions in the hotel’s 10,000 square feet of event space and neighboring Caloosa Sound Convention Center, offering 40,000 square feet of function space.
  “Chef Sam brings a wonderful mix of culinary creativity and kitchen management to Luminary Hotel & Co.,” said Bob Megazzini, General Manager of Luminary Hotel & Co. “As executive sous chef, we’re confident he will lead our exceptional culinary team to new heights to enhance the overall guest experience for years to come.”
With more than 20 years of high-volume experience in American Cuisine, Kaufman joins Luminary from Gaylord National Harbor in Maryland, where he worked as resident specialty chef. Prior to that, Kaufman was executive chef at Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel in Arlington, Virginia, and was responsible for leading a team, monthly inventory, and managing food costs. Kaufman is an American Culinary Federation Certified Chef and obtained his Associates Degree in Culinary Arts/Chef Training from the Community College of Philadelphia.
           Guests of Luminary Hotel & Co. have ample options to explore their culinary curiosity – from a signature restaurant and rooftop bar, to a casual streetside diner and coffee roastery. The Silver King Ocean Brasserie is located inside the Luminary Hotel & Co. and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Ella Mae’s Diner, located on the hotel’s ground floor with access to Bay Street, is open Monday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Located 12 stories up, the rooftop Beacon Social Drinkery is open on Sundays from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Monday through Wednesday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.; and Friday – Saturday 3 p.m. to midnight. The newest member to the Luminary culinary scene is Oxbow Bar & Grill, located just steps from the hotel on the Caloosahatchee River. Oxbow is open Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Full menus and other information on each outlet can be found online.
For more information on Luminary Hotel & Co., visit LuminaryHotel.com.