O’Brien named executive chef for Doc Ford’s and Dixie Fish Company
HM Restaurant Group, which owns and operates Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille and Dixie Fish Company, has hired Brian O’Brien as executive chef. With more than 40 years of culinary experience, O’Brien will oversee the kitchen operations across all locations of the award-winning restaurants to ensure quality, flavor and consistency.
“Brian is an exciting addition to our team and, like us, shares a deep-rooted passion for scratch kitchens and fresh made-in-house cooking,” said Joe Harrity, a partner with HM Restaurant Group. “He’s creative, energetic and brings decades of experience to our culinary team.”
A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, O’Brien worked for Doc Ford’s in 2010. He has since owned and operated several restaurants specializing in fresh fish, earning a reputation for bold flavors and an unwavering commitment to quality.
“This feels like a homecoming for me and I look forward to creating new menu items while focusing on the dishes that make Doc Ford’s and Dixie Fish Company a favorite for locals and visitors,” said O’Brien. “I’m inspired by the HM Restaurant Group team, the company’s culture and its dedication to a diverse scratch menu highlighting the best of coastal and Caribbean flavors.”
B Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille and Dixie Fish Company are open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at their Fisherman’s Wharf location on Fort Myers Beach.
Doc Ford’s also operates locations at Sanibel, Jungle Terrace in St. Petersburg and the St. Petersburg Pier.