Shaun O’Brien: Chef de Cuisine, Fish Out Of Water
The AAA Four Diamond Award winning and Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, Fish Out Of Water at WaterColor Inn, has already set the highest standards for top quality unparalled Gulf front cuisine in the Florida Panhandle, and recent hire Chef de Cuisine, Shaun O’Brien, says, “Our team has its sights set even higher. We want the Southern region to know that Fish Out of Water is a foodie destination, and visitors need to come for that reason!”
Many folks these days (myself included) plan vacations around food, making the trek yearly to the (always sold out) Southern Foodways Alliance Symposium, or to Blackberry Farm in Walland Tennessee to savor the seasonal cuisine, as well as the history, sustainable sources and stunning surroundings; Fish Out of Water at WaterColor Inn is no exception.
Locals and visitors frequent the restaurant not only for its eclectic menu but the magnificent views. It is definitely an experience, but not one out of reach, as Fish Out of Water also serves breakfast, tantalizing the senses to wake up to.
O’Brien comes to Fish Out of Water from Boston, Massachusetts with years of experience in the kitchen, as he was raised by a culinary family and learned the art of cooking from his mother and brother, who had a commercial kitchen in their home. “I was blessed to be able to travel with my Mother who worked for the Marriott Corporation, learn and absorb different cuisines, and being from a big Italian family was also a bonus when it came to food”, O’Brien said
When O’Brien was a teenager, he had the opportunity to travel around the world with the USA Junior Hockey League, but after sustaining a severe injury, he returned home to work alongside his mother, redefining and focusing his culinary chops. He worked with his brother as well, and was fortunate to apprentice under several highly esteemed chefs in Boston, landing his first big opportunity to be on the opening team of the restaurant at Gillette Stadium where the famous New England Patriots host home NFL football games.
Celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi drew him to Orlando where O’Brien leaned Asian techniques and met his best friend while working in the same restaurant. The duo decided to pursue culinary careers in South Walton, and found work at the highly acclaimed Restaurant Paradis at Rosemary Beach, where O’Brien became Executive Chef showcasing award winning coastal cuisine with Louisiana flare.
For the last several years, O’Brien has cultivated his culinary aspirations by working for Bistro Bijoux, a fine dining French inspired restaurant at the Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin, also helping to win many trophies and accolades.
O’Brien says,” “I came to Fish Out of Water to work with the great team in place and I look forward to putting Fish Out of Water on the map. It’s already locally beloved, but we need to be known regionally! I am aware of the discerning palates of local and visitors alike, and I plan for my dishes to surprise and excite diners, all while using the finest and freshest local ingredients. I want to continue to push myself and my staff!”
O’Brien works with several local farms and purveyors that supply produce and proteins changing the menu to reflect the seasons. The new fall menu will focus on upscale comfort food that is hearty, rich and braised, while still offering delightfully light local Gulf Coast seafood, where whole fish is cut and cleaned on site.
One of O’Brien’s favorite fall dishes is the Duck Breast with scallion and Brie risotto, and enoki mushroom confit in a fig-port wine reduction.
Fish Out of Water is located beachside overlooking the Gulf of Mexico on the second floor at the WaterColor Inn, between Seaside and Grayton Beach State Park on Scenic Hwy 30-A. Breakfast: 8:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M. Daily Dinner Hours: 5:30 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. Tuesday – Thursday 5:30 P.M. – 10:00 P.M. Friday & Saturday Dinner Specials Happy Hour: 5:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. Nightly (Patio & Bar Only) Kids Eat Free: 5:30 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. Nightly (2 kids meals with purchase of entree). Call 850-534-5050 for more information.
Susan Benton is the go to resource for foodies visiting Pensacola to Panama City Beach. She is a freelance food and travel journalist with published articles and photography in many local, regional and national publications. Her website is 30AEATS.com where she writes about local chefs, restaurants, fishermen, producers and the secrets of Gulf Coast food.
