Pictured: Chef Jeremy Thayer. Photo courtesy of Daiquiri Deck.

Daiquiri Deck, an iconic bar and casual restaurant that delivers a quality experience, great times, good vibes and the best frozen daiquiris around, recently welcomed seasoned chef Jeremy Thayer to its culinary team. An accomplished culinary artist with over 25 years of experience, Thayer discovered his love for cooking at a young age when he took over responsibility for his family’s evening meals while his mother worked overnight as a nurse. After deciding to pursue a culinary degree, Thayer attended the esteemed Culinary Institute of America in New York. Upon graduation, his robust background included working as senior sous chef for Wegmans Market Café and as an assistant for its guest chef series, working alongside world renowned chefs, including Lydia Bastianich and Mario Batalli. He also served as chef instructor and chef de cuisine at the Statler Hotel with Cornell University and assisted guest chefs, including iron chef Masaharu Morimoto, Floyd Cardoz and Fritz Sonnenschmidt. Post 9/11, Thayer worked ground zero to aid in relief efforts with chef David Bouley, serving over 2,500 people a day. Thayer moved to Florida in the early 2000s to continue his culinary career. Most recently, he was executive sous chef for the Sarasota Art Museum. During his time there, he worked closely with all corporate chefs, contributed to the 2020 Super Bowl Miami event that fed 10,000 people and executed the full build of the new restaurant inside the Sarasota Art Museum. Prior to that, Thayer was the executive chef at GROVE. While there, he executed a full remodel of the kitchen, created and implemented over 100 menu items and fulfilled hiring commitments. His Sarasota restaurant experience also includes executive chef at IMG Academy, and catering chef and executive chef at Mattison's Restaurants. In his new role as culinary director and corporate chef at Daiquiri Deck, Thayer is revitalizing the menu, giving it a fresh look with over 20 new items, and crafting a highly anticipated brunch menu that will launch later this year. On Sunday, May 21 from 1 to 4 p.m., Thayer will be present at a meet and greet event at the St Armands location. During the event, he will sign copies of Cooking with Friends: An EHS Culinary Adventure, a book he contributed to with several other chefs. Proceeds will benefit the EHS Relief Fund.

Pictured: Chef Jeremy Thayer. Photo courtesy of Daiquiri Deck.