At the 474-room Naples Grande Beach Resort, managing the resort’s diverse food and beverage outlets is a major responsibility. As the new executive chef, Jim O’Connor oversees all culinary operations, including The Catch of the Pelican, Mantra Lounge, Rhode’s End, Aura, Gulf Coast Oasis, Spressi Marketplace, The Sunset Veranda, in-room dining and banquet services. Chef O’Connor leads the resort’s culinary teams, shapes creative concepts and directs culinary programming across the property.
© Naples Grande Beach Resort
A Long Island native, O’Connor trained at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. While still a student he gained experience in New York City kitchens, including time at the notable David Burke and Donatella on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. After graduating, he sought broader culinary perspectives and practical experience across the country, working in Colorado, California, Nashville and Montana, where he held executive chef positions at multiple restaurants.
Throughout his career, O’Connor has emphasized fresh, locally sourced ingredients. At The Grove in Tennessee he launched a farm-to-table program that used on-site-grown produce and harvested honey from property beehives. Early in his career he frequented California farmers markets to build relationships with local producers. Now living in Florida for the first time, he is exploring regional ingredients and supporting the Naples culinary community. Known informally as “Chef Jim,” he also appreciates Naples’ access to waterways and looks forward to kayaking around Southwest Florida.
© Naples Grande Beach Resort
The resort features 29 gulf-view suites and 50 Garden Villas, plus more than 83,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space. Every tower guestroom has a private balcony with direct views of the Gulf of Mexico. Guests enjoy seven on-site restaurants and bars, three heated outdoor pools, a full-service spa, an 8,000-square-foot fitness center, a business center and an award-winning tennis complex with 15 courts.
Set on 200 acres of protected mangrove estuary, the property is connected by bridges and elevated walkways and provides access to three miles of beachfront on the Gulf of Mexico. The resort is also conveniently located a short drive or walk from upscale shopping at Waterside Shops, one of Southwest Florida’s premier retail destinations.