LAURA OWEN
Laura Owen is a 1992 graduate of The Culinary Institute of America. From there she started working at the Ritz Carlton Buckhead before moving to Naples, Florida. She was also the opening Food and Beverage Coordinator for Naples National Golf Club, Sous Chef for Peter Marek at Marek’s Collier House Restaurant on Marco Island, opening Sous Chef at Café Lurcat in Naples, and Executive Chef at CJ’s on the Bay in Marco Island for eight years, where she has worked as general manager for the past seven years.
Laura Owen, Executive Chef at CJ’s on the Bay in Marco Island
Who are some of your culinary role models?
Julia Child for sure! She opened professional kitchens to women, proving women can be as driven and focused as men in the back of the house. Peter Marek Sr. is my mentor in the day-to-day world of restaurant culture. He taught me the importance of quality over quantity, doing mundane tasks well every time, and the value of mental and physical mise en place.
What is your motto or philosophy when it comes to food?
It is important to me to highlight fresh, local ingredients in a way that showcases their goodness. I strive to work with local farmers and fishermen to give our guests the best of the best and keep our carbon footprint down. My favorite motto is: Preparation is the Key to Success!
What is one of your proudest signature creations in the kitchen?
I love educating our guests about invasive species, especially lionfish. Preparing the delicious but dastardly creature in a way that people enjoy will hopefully help encourage further commercial harvest. A safe and healthy commercial harvest of lionfish from the Gulf of Mexico and in the Caribbean Sea would improve the quality of life for our native sea creatures and coral reefs. I have a [Lionfish] recipe published in the second edition of The Lionfish Cookbook (reef.org).
Check Out Laura’s Lion Fish Recipe and Try It Yourself At Home.
Which celebrity or well-known person would you most love to see come in and enjoy your food?
Julia Child of course! But since she cannot come, I defer to Jose Andres who is everything I wish I could be as a chef, restaurateur and most importantly, humanitarian.
What are some of your favorite local restaurants?
Here on Marco Island, I love Thai Sushi by KJ. I also really enjoy The Smith House, and Fin Bistro.
What are some local food or beverage products that visitors should bring back home with them?
People should find some local honey from Marco Island Honey Company and send fresh citrus fruit from South Naples Citrus.
Why is Naples such a great place for people who love food?
Naples, Marco Island and Everglades City (which we like to call Florida’s Paradise Coast) is like no other place on the planet. Our natural resources include agriculture and aquaculture and our restaurants benefit from being so close to so many fresh and delicious ingredients!
