Bryce Hannon is food and beverage director at the Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Downtown Hotel’s Castillo Craft Bar + Kitchen.
Tell us about your career.
I started working in food and beverage at Florida State University. I worked in the University Club as a banquet server. When I came back to St. Augustine, I started working part-time as an on-call banquet server at the Casa Monica. It ended up blossoming into a career.
I worked my way up to banquet captain, then restaurant manager, assistant outlet manager and, eventually, outlet manager.
I left the Casa Monica to become the assistant director of food and beverage at the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club, until the COVID-19 pandemic hit. I eventually took a new position as restaurant manager at Hammock Beach Resort and was later promoted to multi-outlet manager, focusing on new openings and development.
I’m now at the beautiful Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Downtown, which is home to Castillo Craft Bar + Kitchen, where I serve as their food and beverage director.
What do you like best about what you do?
The reactions on a guest’s face when you know that you’ve helped create a core memory. Whether it’s a wedding, anniversary, birthday celebration, or even a corporate group, they all have a goal in mind. When we exceed that expectation, it is what makes it all worthwhile.
What is a typical day like for you?
Anyone in food and beverage will tell you there’s no such thing as a typical day, which is what keeps it interesting.
During this time of year, the primary focus is on planning and staying a few days ahead of actual execution. The more time and effort put into preparation, the more seamless the service becomes. In addition, we have to be able to pivot at a moment’s notice, as the most recent plans are always subject to change.
Are you from this area originally or did you settle here from somewhere else? If the latter, what brought you to this community?
I am proud to say that I was born and raised in St. Augustine. After six years in Tallahassee, I returned and realized how special our town and community are. I have re-rooted with a family of my own and have no desire to relocate.
What do you like best about living here?
It’s tough to pick just one. The area has a lot to offer, from the history to the beaches and the events the city hosts, such as Nights of Lights, but the people and the small, tight-knit community are pretty special, too.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I enjoy spending time with my family, training for triathlons and sneaking in the occasional round of golf.
What's next for you and Castillo Craft Bar + Kitchen?
To kick off Nights of Lights, we created a new fall-winter food and cocktail menu. We are also looking forward to our Christmas Day dinner service, which will feature a four-course meal, and to our New Year’s Eve dinner, for which our chef has prepared a six-course tasting menu. Additionally, in the spring, we will be rolling out our à la carte brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
