MIAMI (JANUARY 16, 2024) – Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel, a recently renovated boutique hotel situated oceanfront in the heart of South Beach’s Art Deco District, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Gastón Javier as the property’s new Executive Chef. With an impressive culinary background and a passion for creating extraordinary dining experiences, Gastón will oversee the hotel’s signature restaurant, The Social Club, as well as its lively outdoor restaurant and bar, High Tide Beach Bar & Grill.
“We are delighted to welcome Chef Gastón Javier to the Kimpton Surfcomber family,” said Mohan Koka, the hotel’s General Manager. “His talent, creativity, and commitment to excellence make him the perfect fit to lead our culinary team and enhance the overall dining experience for our guests.”
Born and raised in Key Biscayne, FL, Gastón has deep roots in the South Florida cuisine scene. A descendant of Cuban and Spanish bloodlines, Gastón discovered his passion for food at an early age, spending countless hours honing his skills in the kitchen with his grandmothers. After obtaining a dual degree in Culinary Arts and Business Administration, Gastón kicked off his professional career as part of the “Mango Squad,” a group of South Florida chefs that ignited the Latin fusion movement. He then took some time to further explore and refine his skills abroad, where he apprenticed with Michelin-Star chefs including Chef Ferran Adrià in Spain and Chef Gastón Acurio in Peru. Since then, he has been a private chef for various celebrities, owned and operated his own restaurants and catering companies, and was showcased on The Food Network’s Celebrity Dish cooking show.
Since 2015, Gastón has worked in the hospitality sector holding various positions at upscale hotels in South Florida including the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs, where he received two Hyatt Excellence Awards, and the iconic Deauville Beach Resort before its permanent closure in 2017. Gastón joins Kimpton Surfcomber from The Standard in Miami Beach, where he served as Executive Chef for Lido Bayside.
Chef Gastón excels at finding complementary textures for bold flavors, incorporating an array of cultures, techniques, and ingredients. One of his most notable strengths is creating exceptional tasting menus, with inspired pairings that are second to none.
“Chef Gastón’s rich expertise and diverse skillset will be invaluable to the growth and enhancement of our culinary offerings, said Jason Jones, Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel’s General Manager of Restaurants & Bars. “We look forward to having him at the helm of our talented kitchen staff to inspire unique and innovative dining experiences for our guests.”
Rated as Miami’s best brunch spot, The Social Club offers inspired culinary delicacies, top-shelf wines, hand-crafted cocktails, and a guaranteed good time. From bottomless mimosa brunch to an upscale South of France-inspired dinner, The Social Club is the ultimate expression of all that is South Beach. Located in the property’s lively backyard area, High Tide Beach Bar & Grill gives local Florida flavors a South American twist. From fresh mahi tacos to refreshing cocktails served by the coconut, the menu is the perfect complement to a sunny day in South Beach.
