New Executive Sous Chef Announced at Luminary Hotel & Co.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 23, 2021) – Luminary Hotel & Co. is pleased to announce 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.

About Luminary Hotel & Co.

On Sept.23, 2020, the waterfront Luminary Hotel & Co. opened its doors, soaring 12 stories above downtown Fort Myers, Florida, as the area’s first hotel in the prestigious Autograph Collection® of Marriott International. More than a hotel, the AAA Four Diamond Luminary is a hub of excitement and discovery – a focal point where locals and travelers tap into the collective energy of a city, and a story, begun by a brilliant cast of audacious local luminaries. The 243-room boutique hotel is home to the signature Silver King Ocean Brasserie and Lobby Bar; Beacon Social Drinkery rooftop lounge; Ella Mae’s Diner; Oxbow Bar & Grill; Dean Street Coffee Roaster & Retail; The Workshop culinary theater; an indoor and outdoor fitness facility; and a spacious pool area on the fourth floor featuring an event deck overlooking the Caloosahatchee River. Luminary offers 10,000 square feet of adaptable indoor and outdoor function space ideal for a variety of events and meetings and is adjacent to the neighboring Caloosa Sound Convention Center. The hotel also offers convenient access to the new Caloosa Sound Amphitheater located on the Caloosahatchee and scheduled to open in early 2022. LuminaryHotel.com