Resaurant at the Summit Resort

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />As I have said before the restaurant "Sublime" will be opening June 1st. Das, the former chef at Temptations will have a large variety of dishes.You can go to their Facebook page "sublimesxm" <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Das is the former SOUS chef at Temptation, NOT the executive chef. The executive chef, who works under Dino, is still there.

Big difference. This makes more sense.

Before you discount this man's professional integrity based on the "sous" comments, I suggest reading the definition:

http://linecookjobdescription.com/sous-chef-job-description/

This man is capable of handling his own place as chef. I know him personally. It's more that I worry the waste of his talent in a place that does not have enough traffic to sustain him to it nor will the hotel do much to promote him.

I don't know that anyone is doubting his professional skill. The point is that the original post said THE CHEF from Temptation was starting this new venture. My post was to point out that the executive chef at Temptation remains employed at Temptation. As far as his 'professional integrity', to me, I think that he owed it to Dino to tell Dino that he was starting his own restaurant, but perhaps that's not the way it works in the restaurant biz, I have no idea.

True, but as you are a veteran visitor on the island, please honestly tell me if you think the restaurant biz is the same in SXM as the USA runs it's?...Island business ethics are a thing.

I should add that i was referring to the "big difference" comment on Exec. Chef, which would actually be Dino to be correct. then a "head" or Managing Chef which you are referring to. Then it would be Sous, (in which I believe Dino has more than one Sous chef) then a pastry chef and so on... I do believe that Dino did make a statement wishing him well on his new venture so that seems to be a non issue.

And I bet you that the OP was told by Das that he was "A" Chef as opposed to a Sous chef, it's common on this island to be general in a way when speaking of your skills.

Regarding Dino, his statement regarding this situation was this

"Since the US elections, the term " fake news" seems to be in vogue, so please allow me to set this record straight.  We are not moving to Summit, We are closing for the month of June for vacation, instead of the traditional September when many restaurants on the island close.  We hope to benefit from being one of the few restaurants open during that month.  I'm not aware of any of my staff resigning, or opening a new business, however it is certainly any persons right to do as they wish during non working hours.  If any of my staff have the opportunity to earn more money , have a second or side job, or help a friend out, even start a business, all I can do is wish them well, and be grateful for their service.  We are a team of 15 people, and our regular guest know that many of our  team, have been with us for 10 plus years, ( including my sous chef Das).  It may very well be that Das is busy with something at Summit, that I'm not aware of, but this does not equate at all to Temptation moving to Summit.  While we are still open this month, please come and enjoy our 3 course summer special for $45.  "

Yes Carol, That is/was what i was referring to when he was wishing him (Das) well.
As said before It may have been presumed by JanBob that he was Chef, and in JanBobs other related post it was misunderstood by another that Temptation itself was moving to Summit which created confusion. It might be the fact that since it was announced well before June 1st, that Das had not told Dino yet due to aligning a contract in stone perhaps?

Das lives in the Summit area of Cupecoy by the way and frequents the places that Summit visitors do. Im sure he was excited for himself that he leaked his new thing a bit too early not realizing it would go much further. All in all, Das is a very good Chef and his cooking and presentation skills will be great quality, He has worked for Dino for well over 10 yrs.
I wish him well and hope anyone reading the thread if or when you can to give him a try. However this particular location has its own curse as to a business survival, regardless of the beautiful view.

Just curious SXMDeepBleu...do you have a personal axe to grind with The Summit? While your input is welcome and appreciated, 3 of your 4 posts have negative implications regarding the place.

In all due respect, if you are reviewing my previous posts then the first initial post sent by me answered this. Also, I will explain it in this way...

There are and have been many posters here over the years who have or maybe allegedly have had bad experiences with hotels, beaches, restaurants, locations or areas, etc., and their information has been given or posted here in either protest or just opinion, or maybe just feeling the need to express concern over supporting a friendly acquaintance.

My posts have not been any different than others and they do not blast the Summit per se, I am simply stating a well known fact about the lack of occupancy in the hotel, food service location and its past history.

No, sorry, gotta say, don't tell people sitting at the bar that you're going to open a restaurant, before you tell Dino.

As to the bar at the Summit, I personally have only been there once, but I don't stay in Cupecoy area. The bar and restaurant there does seem to be closed a lot. I don't know why.

Not Deepblue and.......

Not a commentary on Temptation or Sublime, or for that matter, not on the Summit Resort or the restaurant's that have tried to make it there in the past, but I for one would be very happy to see a quality restaurant at this location but I can't help but wonder if this might not be an overly ambitious endeavor for this new entrepreneur.

Restaurants anywhere are an incredibly difficult business to operate in that they require full time hands on to be successful. There's a lot more to it than just having good food or even a great location. Dedication, personal involvement and a total commitment are absolute prerequisites, and these are just for starters. There's so much more that goes into it........

The Summit is a cute little older island-style resort but sadly, even with its incredible view from the pool deck overlooking the water, I think it needs a lot more to make it work as a dining location. Past operators there have been hit or miss in both their menus and hours of operation, just for starters, even when their food offerings have been good. And to offer breakfast, lunch and dinner is a formidable undertaking, IMHO, which is why so many places specialize in one or the other.

Beyond that, it's off the beaten path; it's not big enough to have an in-house regular clientele; and truthfully, even though the parking is seemingly adequate, the actual access to the restaurant area, unless it's been changed, leaves a lot to be desired. I can't tell you how many times over the years we've walked down to find them closed or not serving the meal we were hoping for.

The ethical issue of the new operator notifying his current boss was not to my personal liking, but sadly, I think it's pretty normal for the island and further, I'm thinking it was probably one of those conversations that slipped out and then couldn't be taken back, because in the enthusiasm of the opening it was preemptively publicized.

Personally, I hope they do well and I hope the resort management helps them out with some publicity as well since it benefits them both in the end. And lastly, I know we'll give it a try on our next trip and hopefully, while it remains to be seen, I hope it's a huge success for everyone involved.

I'm rather excited with all the new places popping up in the Cupecoy area

I would be, too, and even more so if I were you.

Wait a minute - thats not would be but I AM excited since the more good dining ops we have going in that direction the less need we have to drive any distance in island traffic....... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

It's been a long time since Kissing Fish, but they drew a nice crowd. We always stop there and bring people to the bar there, it's always well received. If the medical students find it to their liking, it's got that potential also. I am happy to see a new restaurant going in at Summit Resort!

I have to be honest in saying Kissing Fish were inconsistent and were actually paid to leave by Summit almost 10 yrs ago. The owner was not happy with the crowds they brought in or the Kissing Fish operators themselves.
I felt sorry for all the people that helped and contributed an awful lot to Chloe and Thierry when all the while those people were told they were thrown out on the street penniless, they weren't at all.

The medical students only want convenience and cheap food, and now with all of the new places just along the roadside will keep his patronage pretty low.

It's not the menus or the hours of operation at the Summit really, it is the lack of guests at the location. The lack of the hotels advertising or marketing on the island and the lack of cooperation and understanding from the hotels owner in the way a food establishment works within a resort on the island. And now Das will be looking forward to an entire summer season of a practically empty hotel, I do wish him the best.

OK, well, I have no idea what medical students want. We will close this one now and see what develops at the Summit..