US Virgin Islands, Us Virgin Islands, St. Thomas. November 26, 2024

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas is enhancing its culinary landscape with the recent appointments of a new Director of Food & Beverage, Jonathan Hernandez, and Executive Chef, Andrea Montuori. These dynamic additions to the leadership team, alongside the debut of renovated dining venues Sails and Coconut Cove, underscore the luxury resort's commitment to delivering elevated, innovative dining that celebrates the rich flavors of the Caribbean.

"We are thrilled with the expertise, passion and commitment to excellence Mr. Hernandez and Chef Montuori are bringing to enhance our food & beverage experiences, leading our Ladies and Gentlemen in the culinary space with a fresh energy," says Laura Jarvinen, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas. "The creativity and dedication they are adding to our island paradise and newly renovated eateries is sure to shine and provide our guests with authentic Caribbean flavors with a sustainable lens."

Bringing a dynamic background in food and beverage leadership, Jonathan Hernandez is stepping into the role of Food & Beverage Director at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas with extensive experience under his belt. In his most recent role as Director of F&B Operations at Lost Boy & Co., he managed all operational aspects for a luxury Miami hotel while mentoring new leadership. Previous to that role, Hernandez was the Multi-Unit Director of Operations at Bar Lab from 2019 to 2023, where he oversaw multiple venues across Miami, Washington D.C., and Madrid, handling all responsibilities from menu development to successful venue launches. In his various leadership roles, he oversaw many notable milestones, including driving $13 million in annual revenue for the Jean-Georges' Matador Room as General Manager and improving beverage revenue and guest satisfaction through innovative menu strategies and service standards at the Renaissance Vinoy.

"I'm most looking forward to reconnecting with the notable Ritz-Carlton brand in this role and re-energizing the Ladies and Gentlemen for the new and exciting growth we have in store for The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas," says Hernandez.

As the Executive Chef, Chef Andrea Montuori brings a deep passion and global perspective to his new role at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas. With more than 20 years of experience in luxury restaurants and hotels, Chef Montuori has shaped his craft across iconic destinations around the world, including Hotel Hassler Roma, The Chedi Kuda Villingili, and most recently The St. Regis Vommuli Maldives, where he generated over $10 million dollars in annual revenue across the seven dining outlets. Chef Montuori first discovered his love for cooking through the fascination he felt when watching his parents cook and the process it took to create dishes. As a teenager watching the iconic Italian Chef Gualtiero Marchesi on television further solidified his goal of becoming a professional chef one day. Chef Montuori worked his way up the ranks, starting in roles such as Chef de Parti at Brambols Restaurant in Limerick to becoming the Executive Chef of multiple five-star properties, including Baglioni Resort in Maldives and Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz Malta. Originally from Sardinia, his Mediterranean roots and island experiences inspire his philosophy: each island holds a unique cultural and culinary identity that deserves to be celebrated on the plate. In his new role, Chef Montuori will be incorporating local ingredients to honor the spirit of St. Thomas and create an authentic connection between the island's vibrant flavors and the menus he will be introducing throughout the property.

In line with the recent culinary appointments, Sails will unveil a fresh new look and menu, bringing guests closer to the beauty of St. Thomas. Inspired by the serene hues of a Caribbean sunrise, the redesigned space features soft pastel accents and natural materials, creating a tranquil beachside retreat. The refreshed menu will include Caribbean Spiny Lobster Salad, Tuna Burrata Carpaccio and Reef Fish Tartar, while re-introducing the Sea to Sails experience, where one can choose their fresh catch and savor a customized four-course Caribbean-inspired menu. In addition, Coconut Cove has been refreshed with an updated menu highlighting more locally sourced and sustainable ingredients, including Spiny Lobster, Reef Snapper and Charred Baby Octopus. Overlooking the tranquil waters of Great Bay, Coconut Cove now offers a relaxed atmosphere with newly refreshed flooring, furniture, and fresh paint, creating the perfect setting to enjoy a true taste of island life.

As the property embraces a new era of culinary innovation, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas invites guests to explore a renewed culinary journey that blends the flavors of the Caribbean with refined, creative cuisine and The Ritz-Carlton's legacy of excellence.

For more information, visit www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/caribbean/st-thomas.