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Hibiscus Ushers in New Chef and Plenty of Fun in Grayton Beach

April 29, 2014 by Manny Chavez

Hibiscus Coffee & Guesthouse has been a local and tourist favorite for a long time now….on May 13, 2014, they will celebrate their 20th year with free food, music by Bryan Kennedy, and plenty of “back yard love” for all to enjoy.
 

The event will not only celebrate the past twenty years, but will also usher in new concepts at the hand of new Chef Tim Ryan. Tim has been associated with Hibiscus for the past five years or so - first as the owner of his Botaniq Floral business which was located in the Woodpecker Guesthouse and then as the hands-on events coordinator.  He will now spread his wings in the kitchen as “Chef Boyardee” as his grandfather dubbed him at an early age.
 

“We are going to be an organic-based , local-sourced and 100% vegetarian restaurant,” says Tim.

Cafe Hibiscus will be open seven days a week serving both breakfast and lunch with weekly specials and picnic lunches to go.

“We will continue to offer our event venues here,” emphasizes Tim.

Outgoing Chef Colin Smith will be concentrating on his line of hot sauces which have been offered at Hibiscus. His business, Coastal Heat, is presently offering four hot sauces with one of them, habanero peppers and pineapple, being one of the favorites.

“I am presently working on the bottling aspect of my business and look forward to distribution.  I will now be able to concentrate my efforts on my hot sauces,” says Colin.
 

General Manager Warren Tape, who has been associated with Hibiscus since “day one”, is proud of the family business. His father, Kurt and stepmother Barbara, actually started the business in the then-sleepy town of Grayton Beach…back when a big draw to Grayton was the pink pig down the street at Patrone’s. Cousin Stephanie is the Inn Keeper and long-time associate Jean Hill is the Housekeeping Manager.  All have come and gone over time, but are back with renewed enthusiasm.

Party time for this “back to the future” event will be from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 13, 2014. Be ready for Bryan Kennedy’s cool tunes and lots of huggin’ going on!  Free food and BYOB.

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Manny Chavez's picture

Manny has been a working photojournalist his entire career and is now writing stories/taking pix for SoWal.com. He and his wife Kris live in Seagrove and have “seen a lot come and go.” Lots of stories have been told, with lots more to come!

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