Northeast Florida’s chic, beachfront, boutique resort – One Ocean Resort & Spa – located in Atlantic Beach, proudly names Byron Harrel as Resort Chef. Promoted from Executive Sous Chef and a decorated past of renowned resorts and restaurant experiences all over the United States, Harrel will lead the operations of the culinary program at One Ocean Resort & Spa and its signature restaurant, Azurea. Harrel’s appreciation of classical cooking techniques combined with a fixation on local ingredients and sourcing from regional purveyors, farms and fisheries, allows him to maintain the resort and restaurant vision while elevating its product and service.
“Byron’s passion for teaching the fundamentals of cooking creates an environment of growth for our younger chefs and he has become instrumental part of One Ocean being the training ground for the resort chefs in Remington’s luxury division,” says Ted Peters, culinary director of Remington Hotels, Luxury Division. “I value his standard of techniques and terminology in the kitchen. Chef Byron inspires all around him to step up their game while respecting the art of cooking.”
Graduating cum laude from Johnson & Wales University with a degree in culinary arts, Harrel’s extensive professional experience spans more than 15 years at an array of four- and five-star resorts and hotels throughout the country before joining One Ocean Resort & Spa. Embarking his culinary career at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Fla., as sous chef of Café 4750, Harrel went on to hold restaurant chef, executive chef and director of food and beverage positions at Loews Miami Beach Hotel in Miami, Sierra Grande Lodge & Spa and Elephant Butte Inn in Truth or Consequences, N.M. and MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas Nev. Harrel’s impressive portfolio includes accolades such as the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, a Fodor’s Editor’s Pick, Frommer’s Choice and numerous television and media appearances.
“It has always been an honor to study under Chef Ted. To be able to grow his vision and work with such a talented team at One Ocean, I am humbled and completely excited for what the future holds,” says Byron Harrel, resort chef of One Ocean Resort & Spa. “Introducing new locally sourced product that maintains truth in menu, is a very important aspect of this role and one that is very important to me.”
Azurea, the signature restaurant of One Ocean Resort & Spa, is true to its coastal surroundings, offering a view of the ocean from any seat in the house. As a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence Restaurant, Azurea is one of three AAA diamond-awarded restaurants in all of northeast Florida. Recognized by Condé Nast Traveler as a “Top 100 U.S. Resort Spa,” The Spa at One Ocean touts beautiful floor-to-ceiling views of the rolling surf from the comfort of its meditation lounge while offering more than 40 marine-inspired rituals comprised of specialty treatments.
The 193 rooms and stylish suites at One Ocean Resort & Spa, recently named as one of the Top 25 Resorts in Florida (Atlantic & Keys) by Condé Nast Traveler and ranked among Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best Hotels,” are all adorned with One Ocean Docents, which serve as individualized, intuitive hosts. Acting as a private concierge for packing and unpacking luggage, steaming clothing, stocking amenities cabinets and providing delivery of hot beverages of choice each morning, the Docents take care of any guests’ needs.
As part of a collection of luxury hotels and resorts managed by Remington Hotels, One Ocean Resort & Spa is an AAA four-diamond-, Forbes Travel Guide four-star-rated property located 25 miles from Jacksonville International Airport. The resort is nestled directly across from the picturesque Beaches Town Center, luring guests in with its brick-paved streets featuring an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, art galleries, ice-cream parlors and nightlife options.
