Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort Announces Director of F&B and New Executive Chef
AMELIA ISLAND (October 29, 2018) – Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort announces the appointment of Chef Daven Wardynski to Director of Food & Beverage and Todd Ruiz to Executive Chef. Wardynski moves into the Director of Food & Beverage role after six years as Executive Chef at Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort, while Chef Ruiz joins the resort from the Omni New Haven Hotel. A culinary destination, Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort is home to more than ten dining experiences and The Sprouting Project, a state-of-the-art aquaponics greenhouse with adjoining gardens, apiary and barrel room.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Chef Ruiz back to the Omni Amelia Island family. Chef Ruiz is a forward-thinking culinary leader who has worked for Omni Hotels & Resorts for many years,” said Mary O’Donnell, managing director of Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort. “We look forward to Daven Wardynski continuing to lead our resort to new culinary heights.”
Daven Wardynski has led the culinary team at Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort since October 2012 and is the mastermind behind The Sprouting Project. With more than 25 years of experience in the culinary world, Wardynski began his career at TRU in Chicago, serving as sous chef under celebrity chef Rick Tramonto. Prior to joining Omni Amelia Island, he was the executive chef at Omni Chicago Hotel. Due to his emphasis on supporting local purveyors and his passion for fresh, high-quality ingredients, Wardynski has received multiple honors from the American Culinary Federation, including a Gold Medal in the Chicago National Restaurant Show.
Executive Chef Ruiz will oversee all culinary operations at the 1,350-acre resort on Amelia Island. Chef Ruiz brings more than twenty years of culinary experience to the resort, having most recently served as executive chef at Omni New Haven Hotel and Omni Berkshire Place Hotel in New York City. Prior to joining Omni, Chef Ruiz held leadership positions at Hotel ZaZa in Houston, The Hotel Hershey in Pennsylvania, and with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Chef Ruiz’s culinary career started in the fields of south Texas, working alongside his father in his produce shipping and receiving business. Chef Ruiz looks forward to biking the tree-canopied trails on Amelia Island with his English bulldog Chefie.
About Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort
Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort at 39 Beach Lagoon Road in Amelia Island, FL is just north of Jacksonville and nestled between the Atlantic Ocean, lush marshlands and the Intracoastal Waterway. Alongside 3.5 of beachfront, the property is situated on 1,350 acres. The resort features 402 oceanfront guest rooms and suites, over 350 one-, two- and three-bedroom villas, 80,000 square feet of meeting space, 10 restaurants, the largest oceanfront poolscape in Northeast Florida, 36 holes of championship golf, 23 tennis courts, a fitness center, a luxurious full-service spa and salon, a shopping village with 14 boutiques, and numerous other recreational activities. For more information, visit, call 1-888-261-6161 or follow Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort at Facebook.com/OmniAmeliaIsland, Instagram.com/Omni_AIP and Twitter.com/Omni_AIP.
About Omni Hotels & Resorts
Omni Hotels & Resorts creates genuine, authentic guest experiences at 60 distinct luxury hotels and resorts in leading business and leisure destinations across North America. With more than 25 iconic golf courses and 16 award-winning spas featured in dynamic locales nationwide, every Omni proudly opens its doors to share the true spirit of its destination. Reflected through local color, personalized service, unique wellness options, signature restaurants and creative culinary offerings, Omni leaves a lasting impression with every guest and a heightened level of recognition and rewards delivered through its Select Guest loyalty program. As a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance, Select Guest is further expanded through the DISCOVERY® loyalty program offering members additional global benefits. Omni is committed to reducing hunger and is on a mission through its Say Goodnight to Hunger initiative to provide millions of meals each year for food banks to feed children, families and seniors in communities in which it operates. Omni Hotels & Resorts is the official hotel of the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions. For information or to book accommodations, visit omnihotels.com or call 1-800-The-Omni.