Chef Sean Bernal Named VP of Culinary Development of Wyland's Ocean Blue Restaurants

After jumping ship from The Oceanaire Seafood Room, ex Oceanaire operating partners Chef Sean Bernal and former GM Kevin Amiott are now gainfully employed by Wyland's Ocean Blue, a seafood restaurant slash art gallery that opened its first location in Fairview, Texas last month. The two have impressive titles: Bernal will serve as Vice President of Culinary Development and Amiott will serve as Vice President of Operations.

"We were approached [by the restaurant] at a time in our careers when we were ready to branch out and try something different,” said Bernal. The concept is an interesting one in that it's inspired by marine artist and conservationist Wyland and will feature his work alongside dishes featuring, well, subjects of that work. Says a press release, the carefully crafted menu features "sustainably caught seafood, farm-to-table meats, and coastal Pacific flavors with local and seasonal influences." A portion of the restaurants proceeds will benefit the Wyland Foundation. The duo is currently in Texas but will be in Denver next. As for Miami? The company is scouting South Florida locations for the Wyland restaurant brand, so Bernal and Amiott will most likely be back sometime in 2011. [EaterWire]