For those that enjoy fine dining, things are about to change on Solomons Island this winter. Executive Chef Robert Hesse, he of Hell’s Kitchen fame, is coming to the island to take charge of Catamarans on Dec. 5.
In an interview over this past weekend, Hesse told TheBAYNET.com that he was looking forward to showing Southern Maryland what a restaurant dining experience should be. “I am all for small restaurants and against the chains and big box eateries where all the food is prefabricated and nothing is created,” said Hesse.
He went on to indicate that he likes to involve local farmers and food vendors in all of his menu offerings. “I am a firm believer that food should be fresh, prepared from scratch and taste good.”
Hesse has quite a history, working as a Chef in 22 states and around the world and knows what restaurants should offer customers. “Going to one of the chains and waiting 45 minutes to get a table to receive prefabricated food and poor service is just plain wrong,” said Hesse.
When he takes over Catamarans he will be involved in every aspect of the restaurant’s operations from the ‘back of the house’ to the way customers are greeted and waited upon from the minute they walk in until they are finished.
“We are also going to introduce some new concepts about menu pricing and offerings,” said Hesse. He indicated that he will be introducing price fixed, full meals. “For a single price, diners will be able to order a four-course meal; everything from appetizers and salad to entre to dessert,” continued Hesse.
Hesse will first arrive in Solomons on Nov. 15 and work up a Thanksgiving meal to serve the homeless. Then he will launch the new Catamarans on Dec. 5. “I don’t want to give too much away, but we will have all kinds of fun, including a kind of Hell’s Kitchen reunion,” laughed Hesse.
