Meet Executive Chef John Hamme
If you ask Executive Chef John Hamme, “life doesn’t get any better than fresh-caught Red Snapper, Gulf shrimp and oysters farmed less than a mile from the restaurant.” Growing up in Maryland near the Chesapeake Bay, fresh local seafood has always been a staple for Chef Hamme–first on his family table, and then throughout his culinary career.
Chef Hamme found his passion for perfecting cuisine as a teenager working the line at a local family restaurant. After obtaining his degree in Hotel Restaurant Club Management, he earned a place in The Greenbrier Culinary Apprenticeship Program, where he spent three years training under some of the world’s best chefs and culinary leaders. Upon graduation, Chef Hamme went on to gain invaluable hands-on experience as he traveled the world leading openings and launches for names like the Ritz Carlton and Capella Hotels. He also participated in – and won – international competitions sanctioned by the American Culinary Foundation, earning a prized position on the ACF Culinary Team in 2000. It was during this time that Chef Hamme developed his own preference and style for classic meals prepared true to their heritage.
After years of honing his culinary craft across every corner of the globe, Chef Hamme returned home and took a position at The Hotel at Auburn University, where he spent nine years leading openings and earning culinary awards across the state. Eventually, the beach came calling, and Chef made his way to our Alabama Gulf Coast – a landing, he says “was by far my favorite as far as varieties of fresh local seafood.”
Chef Hamme is now the Executive Chef of Coast Restaurant and Spectrum Resorts, where he uses his skills to source the freshest local ingredients and turn them into unforgettable meals full of unique coastal flair. For him and his team, working with butchers, seafood purveyors and farmers that are focused on quality is just as important as craft and preparation. As he likes to say, “without great products, a great result is not possible.”
A Career of Accomplishments and Awards
