JEKYLL
ISLAND, Ga., July 18,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Westin Jekyll Island Beach
Resort, a four-star luxury hotel on Jekyll Island (one of Georgia's Golden
Isles), has announced the relaunch of its culinary program
in consultation with Chef Lindsay
Autry, a three-time James
Beard Award nominee for Best Chef: South. Three distinct
restaurant concepts have officially opened: Willet's Lowcountry,
serving coastal Southern cuisine; Pour Tabby, a quaint bar that
sits adjacent to an oversized veranda; and Salty's, a poolside
grill that makes spending the day beach or pool side easy. Open to
visitors and locals alike, each venue aims to become a community
staple, capitalizing on the bounty of local seafood and new menus
designed by Chef Autry to feature her Southern-meets-Mediterranean
cooking style.
These new concepts will elevate the dining options on
Jekyll Island, known for its
causal options. Chef Autry shared, "I was inspired by the
overwhelming character and history of Jekyll Island. The goal with the new concepts
was to celebrate that character, embrace regional produce and
ingredients, and create experiences that will draw in Westin guests
and visitors ready for a fresh take on dining on the island."
Originally from Eastern North
Carolina, Chef Autry grew up helping with her family's peach
orchard and honoring her early skills in 4-H cooking competitions.
This simple, southern childhood gave Chef Autry a love for cooking
and ultimately inspired her to pursue a career as a chef. Earning a
culinary degree from Johnson & Wales, Chef Autry trained in cities along the
Eastern seaboard (Charleston, SC,
Miami, FL, Palm Beach, FL), as well as Mexico, before planting roots in West Palm Beach, where she owned and operated
the culinary hot spot, The Regional. For her work at The Regional,
Chef Autry received three consecutive James
Beard Award nominations for "Best Chef: South"
(2018-2020).
Chef Autry consulted with the culinary team at Westin Jekyll
Island to bring her elevated and eclectic perspective to Willet's
Lowcountry, Pour Tabby, and Salty's. Chef Autry leaned into the
abundance of local seafood on Jekyll
Island – and her background of Southern cooking with
Mediterranean influence – to create menus that are rooted in place,
light, and refreshing (a combination that plays nicely with the
hotel's location on the Georgia
coast and the Westin brand's focus on wellness). Keeping in line
with what Westin Hotels are known for, with wellness at the
forefront, all menus have a sizable selection of health-conscious
options, including local, organic, and sustainably sourced
ingredients whenever possible. The restaurant spaces have also
undergone complete renovations (with a screened-in veranda so
guests and visitors can enjoy dining outdoors), bringing to life a
design and feel that more closely reflects coastal Georgia.
New Dining Concepts
Willet's Lowcountry celebrates coastal Southern cuisine
inspired by the seasons and the abundance of local seafood. A
relaxed atmosphere encapsulates the charming Jekyll Island vibe, offering both indoor and
outdoor seating and a screened-in veranda overlooking the
ocean.
Ingredients are consciously sourced from the best farmers,
fisheries, and producers across the country, with particular
attention to local and regional ingredients such as shrimp, fish,
and seasonal Southern vegetables and grains. Signature dishes
include Pickled Georgia Shrimp, Seasonal Vegetable Brunswick Stew,
and Sweet-Tea-Brined Fried Chicken. Weekend brunch pays further
homage to the South, offering a variety of Southern favorites such
as Buttermilk Waffles, Fried Green Tomato Eggs Benedict with
Country Ham, and build-your-own creamy grit bowls. For more
information, visit www.willetslowcountry.com.
Pour Tabby is a bar & lounge connected to Willet's
Lowcountry, celebrating Georgia's
culinary heritage and offering an intimate and relaxed space for
libations and bites. Signature cocktails include the Peach &
Basil Smash, Georgia Hurricane, a bourbon-infused Back Porch Tea,
and the Debutante, all meant to showcase Georgia's rich flavors and Southern
traditions. A flip-top menu offers snacks, small plates,
shareables, and larger plates for a full meal, with fan favorites
such as the Shrimp n' Grits and Southern Tomato Tart. For more
information, visit www.willetslowcountry.com/pour-tabby.
Salty's is an easy dining option near the pool.
Guests can order from tables or enjoy full menu service poolside or
from the beach (all menu items are packed in bento boxes for
wherever the day takes you). Chef Autry has created a casual and
comfortable menu that is elevated to utilize the best ingredients
possible. Items include salads, tacos (e.g., local redfish tacos
and shrimp tacos with green tomato slaw), pizza, burgers, and
sandwiches (e.g., pimiento cheese BLT with heirloom tomatoes). A
kids menu is also available.
A Reimagined Hotel
The Westin Jekyll Island is undergoing an extensive
transformation to redefine its presence as a premier beachfront
resort on the Atlantic coastline. With new ownership at the helm,
the hotel connects the guest experience more deeply with its
location on the Georgia coast
(including the island's history, wildlife, cuisine, and tranquil
essence), enhancing its appeal as a true leisure destination and
beachfront resort.
The new culinary program is the first of many upgrades at the
resort in the coming year. Other changes include renovated and
redesigned rooms and thoughtful guest experiences such as
historical tours and marine biology walks. No longer a hotel that
could be anywhere, the reimagined Westin Jekyll Island will be
authentic to its place on the Georgia coast – providing an opportunity for
guests to lean into the southern coastal life, enjoy local seafood
and southern cuisine, and connect to the natural world on
Jekyll Island.
For more information, visit the Westin Jekyll Island's
website or on social media @westinjekyllisland.
About The Westin Jekyll Island Beach Resort
The Westin
Jekyll Island Beach Resort is a four-star luxury hotel on
Jekyll Island, one of Georgia's Golden
Isles along the Atlantic coastline. Located right on the
beach, guests can enjoy Jekyll's serene and natural surroundings
from the comfort of the resort. The hotel also offers convenient
access to many top attractions on the island, including Driftwood
Beach, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, miles of beaches and ocean
and marsh views, outdoor activities, museums, shopping, and dining.
As one of the few full-service hotels on the island, perks include
full beach service (chairs & umbrellas, food & beverage
service) and complimentary bike rentals. Guests can also take
advantage of all the benefits of staying at a Westin Bonvoy
property, including the Westin's featured wellness offerings. For
more information, visit the website.
MEDIA CONTACT
Charlotte Beck Public Relations
380548@email4pr.com
617-877-2222
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