Florida’s Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach Announces New Culinary Leadership
Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach proudly welcomes two distinguished culinary professionals to its leadership team.
Chef Nana Darkwah has been promoted to Executive Chef, while Chef Eric Champagne steps into the role of Executive Banquet Chef. These appointments mark an exciting new chapter for the resort's culinary offerings, following the retirement of esteemed Executive Chef Claude Rodier.
Chef Nana Darkwah's recent appointment as Executive Chef at Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach caps a remarkable 15-year culinary journey that began in Accra, Ghana. After moving to the United States, Chef Nana's passion and talent propelled him from his first role as a dishwasher through various prestigious positions, including sushi chef at a four-diamond restaurant. Chef Nana has been an integral part of the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach team for over 7 years, demonstrating his commitment and growth within the organization.
At Ocean Hai, Wyndham Grand's signature four-diamond restaurant, his innovative approach to cuisine quickly elevated him from lead line cook to Executive Chef. Chef Nana's unique blend of international flavors and techniques has not only earned Ocean Hai the title of "Best Sushi in Tampa Bay," but also garnered him personal accolades as "Best Chef" by Tampa Magazine for two consecutive years. His rapid rise and culinary achievements underscore both his exceptional skills in the kitchen and his strong leadership abilities, promising an exciting new chapter for the resort's dining experiences.
Joining the team is Chef Eric Champagne as Executive Banquet Chef, focusing on meetings, events, and catering. With an Associate of Arts in Culinary Arts from the Art Institute of Tampa and a Culinary Arts Merit from Central Nine Career Center, Chef Eric brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Most recently, as Executive Sous Chef and Banquet Chef at Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater, FL, he oversaw all aspects of banquet production, including safety, sanitation, off-site catering, and menu development. Prior to that, as Executive Chef for Catering By The Family in Tampa, FL, he managed a full-service catering kitchen, leading a team of 15 while handling production, ordering, inventory, and scheduling. This extensive background in banquet and catering operations makes Chef Eric particularly well-suited to elevate the resort's offerings for meetings, events, and catered functions.
The appointment of Chef Nana and Chef Eric heralds a new era of culinary excellence for Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach. Guests can look forward to menus that blend international flavors with local ingredients, creating a unique dining experience that reflects the diversity and vibrancy of Florida's Gulf Coast.
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