While the anticipation for Emeril’s Lagasse’s new restaurant in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin builds, Chef Emeril and his team have been working diligently on all aspects of the restaurant, preparing for a late summer opening.

Shane Quinlan has been named the Chef de Cuisine for Emeril’s Coastal Italian.

Chef Shane has strong ties to the new restaurant’s home, as he was born and raised in Destin.

Since graduating from Charleston’s Johnson & Wales University, Quinlan has worked at Westin Hotels & Resorts and Mirassou Winery, opened a Tommy Bahama restaurant in Las Vegas and overseen culinary operations at TPC Summerlin for the PGA Tour.

Wanting to return with his family to the Emerald Coast, Chef Shane accepted the position of Executive Chef over the Beach Club at Watersound and all of St. Joe Club & Resort’s golf clubs. Connecting with local purveyors and the community led Chef Shane to launch his own business, a private Chef and Catering service, bringing top restaurant quality food and wine into the homes of the busy professionals and seasonal visitors in South Walton. Now he begins an exciting new chapter.

Chef Shane has spent the past six months working and training in New Orleans with Chef Emeril and his team.

They have been developing and collaborating on dishes that reflect both classic Italian favorites as well as many offerings that highlight the fresh seafood and local ingredients found on the Emerald Coast.

Ki Song An has also been named General Manager of Emeril’s Coastal Italian. He has worked for Emeril’s Restaurant Group since 1999 when Chef Emeril opened Delmonico Steakhouse in Las Vegas.

Born in South Korea, Ki Song An arrived in the United States with his family at the age of four and settled in Las Vegas. Growing up, Ki enjoyed traditional Korean meals with his family, which is what originally sparked his passion for food and hospitality. He joined Emeril’s team as a busser in 1999 and worked his way up quickly. By 2000, he was offered a management position at Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House at the MGM Grand, rising to the role of Assistant General Manager in 2004.

When Chef Emeril opened Table 10 at The Palazzo in Las Vegas, Chef Emeril asked Ki to come on board as the General Manager. When it came time to look for a General Manager for Coastal Italian, Chef Emeril called on Ki once again, knowing that his positive attitude, love of the hospitality industry and deep knowledge of Emeril’s Restaurants would make him a natural fit.

Emeril’s Coastal Italian will open late summer 2017 in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin.

The restaurant will be open from 11:30 a.m., seven days a week. Both indoor and outdoor dining options will be available.

Menu selections will include fresh pastas, flatbreads, house made meatballs and lasagna Bolognese. Paying homage to the nearby Gulf waters, diners can expect a local fish special of the day, oysters Florentine and skillet Gulf shrimp – just a few of the many local seafood options. Additional menu items include both imported and domestic meats and cheese as well as Emeril’s delicious desserts including his famous Banana Cream Pie and house made gelato.

To learn more about Emeril’s contributions to the region’s culinary scene, click here.