NAPLES, Fla. (Dec. 31, 2024) BALEEN Naples, an award-winning beachfront restaurant located within the luxurious LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, is thrilled to appoint award-winning Chef John Beriker as the new Executive Chef.
Chef Beriker brings over 30 years of international culinary expertise, refined through formal training at the renowned Epicurean Cooking School in Los Angeles, California. His exceptional skills were honed under the mentorship of culinary icons Wolfgang Puck, Jean-Marie Josselin, Roy Yamaguchi and Martin Yan.
Chef Beriker spent much of his life in Canada before immigrating to the United States to establish his culinary career, which began at the Black Orchid Hotel in Morristown, New Jersey. Since then, he has held prestigious Executive Chef roles at globally distinguished five-star resorts, including Dusit Thani Resort & Spa and Sheraton Laguna Resort in Tumon Bay, Guam, Swissotel Merchant Court Hotel in Sydney, Australia and the Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Hamburg, Germany, among many others. Over the years, his exceptional talent has earned him accolades such as “Best New Chef of the Year” in Hamburg, Germany, recognition as a culinary leader for the “Best Fine Dining Restaurant” in Singapore and the “Best Fine Dining French Restaurant” in Bangkok. Chef Beriker is also the author of “The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe Cookbook.”
Chef Beriker’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for BALEEN Naples, as he combines his rich culinary background with a passion for innovation to elevate the restaurant’s award-winning dining experience. Guests can look forward to a fresh take on the vibrant beachfront cuisine that has made BALEEN a beloved destination for food lovers worldwide.
