The luxury dining landscape in Sarasota just got a major upgrade. CW Prime, the premier steakhouse at The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort, has announced the appointment of Chef Drew Adams as its new head chef, signaling an exciting new chapter in the restaurant’s culinary journey. This strategic move positions CW Prime at the forefront of Florida’s competitive fine dining scene, bringing together exceptional culinary talent with one of the region’s most prestigious hospitality destinations.
For food and beverage industry professionals watching the evolving landscape of luxury resort dining, this appointment represents more than just a personnel change: it’s a masterclass in how premium hospitality brands are elevating their culinary programs to meet increasingly sophisticated guest expectations.
A Chef with Michelin-Level Credentials
Chef Drew Adams brings an impressive pedigree to CW Prime that reads like a roadmap through America’s most celebrated kitchens. The Baltimore native and Johnson & Wales graduate has honed his craft in Michelin-starred and award-winning restaurants, including prestigious establishments like Plume at The Jefferson Hotel, Rose’s Luxury, and The Dabney. His journey through these acclaimed kitchens has contributed to establishments recognized with Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star designations, Michelin stars, and accolades from industry heavyweights like Bon Appétit, GQ, and StarChefs.
Most recently, Adams demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit by founding Adeline in Sarasota, Florida: a venture that quickly earned Best New Restaurant honors from the Tampa Bay Times and secured him the Best Chef of Sarasota award in 2024. This local success story adds another layer to his appointment, as it demonstrates his understanding of both national culinary trends and the specific tastes of the Southwest Florida market.
“CW Prime is thrilled to welcome Chef Drew Adams to our team,” said Winfred van Workum, general manager of The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort. “His creativity, technical skill, and dedication to excellence perfectly align with our vision of delivering an elevated dining experience. Guests can expect dishes that reflect both precision and the exceptional ingredients of Florida’s Gulf Coast.”
The Steakhouse Revolution: Where Tradition Meets Innovation
The appointment comes at a pivotal time for the steakhouse segment within the broader food and beverage industry. According to recent industry data, premium steakhouses are experiencing renewed growth as diners seek authentic, high-quality experiences that justify premium pricing. CW Prime’s approach under Chef Adams’ leadership represents the evolution of this classic dining format: maintaining the timeless appeal of expertly prepared steaks while incorporating innovative techniques and local ingredients.
At CW Prime, Chef Adams will oversee a kitchen that emphasizes top-quality, locally sourced ingredients, featuring dry-aged beef, tantalizing appetizers, and irresistible desserts. The restaurant’s signature Josper grill: a Spanish-made charcoal oven that combines grilling and roasting: provides the perfect platform for Adams to showcase his technical expertise while delivering the bold flavors that define exceptional steakhouse cuisine.
The menu philosophy aligns perfectly with current food and beverage trends toward sustainability and local sourcing. By emphasizing Gulf Coast ingredients and maintaining relationships with local purveyors, CW Prime positions itself as both a luxury destination and a responsible member of the Southwest Florida culinary community.
Beyond the Grill: Creating Memorable Dining Experiences
What sets CW Prime apart in the competitive luxury dining market isn’t just the quality of ingredients or technical execution: it’s the complete experience design. The restaurant seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces, creating an elegant and sophisticated dining atmosphere that takes full advantage of its stunning Longboat Key location. This design philosophy reflects broader hospitality industry trends toward creating Instagram-worthy moments while maintaining the refined service standards expected at luxury resorts.
Chef Adams’ approach to menu development goes beyond traditional steakhouse offerings. His experience in diverse culinary environments: from Washington D.C.’s competitive restaurant scene to Sarasota’s emerging food culture: brings a unique perspective to classic preparations. Guests can expect to see his signature style emerge in creative appetizers, innovative side dishes, and desserts that complement rather than compete with premium steaks and fresh seafood.
“I’m excited to join CW Prime and work with this talented team,” said Chef Adams. “With my ties to the community, I look forward to welcoming more locals as well as hotel guests, sharing the joy of fine dining, and creating dishes that are personal, memorable, and unlike anything else in the area.”
The Business Case for Celebrity Chef Appointments
From a food and beverage management perspective, the decision to bring in a chef of Adams’ caliber represents a significant investment in the restaurant’s long-term success. Celebrity chef appointments in luxury resort settings typically drive multiple business benefits: increased covers, higher average check sizes, enhanced brand recognition, and improved guest satisfaction scores.
For hospitality industry professionals, this appointment offers insights into effective talent acquisition strategies. Rather than simply hiring based on technical skills, The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort clearly prioritized a chef with proven entrepreneurial success, local market knowledge, and the ability to create buzz-worthy dining experiences that drive both repeat business and new customer acquisition.
The timing is also strategic. As the food service industry continues to recover and evolve post-pandemic, luxury brands are doubling down on exceptional dining experiences as key differentiators. Properties like The St. Regis understand that outstanding food and beverage operations aren’t just revenue centers: they’re the experiences that guests remember and share, driving valuable word-of-mouth marketing.
The St. Regis Advantage: Setting the Stage for Culinary Excellence
The appointment gains additional significance when considered within the context of The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort’s broader offerings. Nestled on Sarasota’s barrier island, the property spans 18 acres of pristine beachfront with exclusive access to 800 feet of private white sand. This stunning setting provides the perfect backdrop for Chef Adams’ culinary artistry.
The resort’s amenities: including “The Pools” courtyard, the Under the Sea Lagoon marine habitat, and the 20,000-square-foot beachfront St. Regis Spa: create a comprehensive luxury experience where CW Prime serves as the culinary crown jewel. For food and beverage directors at other luxury properties, this integrated approach offers a blueprint for positioning dining programs as essential components of the overall guest experience rather than standalone revenue centers.
Industry Implications and Future Trends
Chef Adams’ appointment at CW Prime reflects several important trends shaping the food and beverage industry in 2025. First, the continued importance of chef-driven concepts in differentiating luxury dining experiences. Second, the value of local market knowledge and community connections in building sustainable restaurant businesses. Third, the strategic advantage of combining traditional hospitality excellence with innovative culinary approaches.
For restaurant marketing professionals and hospitality managers, the CW Prime model demonstrates how authentic storytelling around chef appointments can generate significant media coverage and social media engagement. The combination of Adams’ impressive credentials, his local Sarasota success story, and the prestige of The St. Regis brand creates multiple angles for ongoing promotional campaigns.
As the hospitality industry continues to evolve, appointments like this signal that luxury brands are willing to invest significantly in culinary talent to maintain their competitive edge. For food and beverage companies and procurement directors serving the luxury hospitality segment, this trend suggests continued demand for premium ingredients and innovative products that support chef-driven menus.
The Future of Luxury Steakhouse Dining
With Chef Drew Adams at the helm, CW Prime is positioned to become a significant player in Florida’s luxury dining scene. The combination of his culinary expertise, the restaurant’s exceptional setting, and The St. Regis brand’s reputation for service excellence creates a powerful value proposition for both resort guests and local diners.
For industry professionals watching this space, the appointment represents the kind of strategic thinking that separates successful luxury dining concepts from their competitors. By investing in proven culinary talent and creating an environment where that talent can flourish, CW Prime has positioned itself for sustained success in one of the industry’s most competitive segments.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
