Explore the restaurants of Cayman and you will find an abundance of delights to sample. Yet rarely do you meet the people who create such masterpieces. Here we have ventured into the kitchens of a select number of establishments to shed light on those behind the scenes. Meet some of our master chefs from around the world.

Chef Ron Jacobson
Abacus
Now the executive chef at Abacus, Canadian-born Ron Jacobson started cooking right out of high school.  After attending a three-year apprenticeship in his native Alberta, in 1993 Ron joined the Hyatt Regency Hotel, the first of several positions on Grand Cayman.  Ron likes simple flavours, preferring not to over-complicate food.

Chef Olagamaga Kusumapala
bamboo
Sri Lanka-born Olagamaga Kusumapala is understandably known simply as Chef OG.  He became interested in cooking because he sees it as an art form. He’s worked in restaurants in many places in the world, including Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Bermuda, Australia and now at Bamboo at the Grand Cayman Beach Suites.

Chef Brad Phillips
Brasserie
Originally from Youngstown, Ohio, Brad Phillips wanted to become a chef at an early age. After attaining a culinary degree from the Culinary Institute of America in New York, he went to work for seafood specialist Dean Max at 3030 Ocean in Fort Lauderdale. Brad is now the executive chef of The Brasserie.

Chef Bruno Deluche
Guy Harvey’s Island Grill
Born in France, Chef Bruno Deluche watched his grandmother cook one-pot meals over an open fire using ingredients fresh from the farm. He’s worked in restaurants in France, New York and London, and at Les Chefs de France in Disney World’s Epcot Center, under the tutelage of three renowned French chefs. He eventually moved to Cayman and became partner/chef of Guy Harvey’s Island Grill.

Chef Christian Reiter
The Wharf Restaurant
Austrian-born Christian Reiter learned to cook professionally during an apprenticeship when he was only 16.  After working in restaurants in Austria, he took to the high seas, serving as a chef on a luxury liner.  Now in his second stint in Cayman – with a stop in Australia in between – Christian serves as the executive chef at The Wharf Restaurant.