Nothing is wasted—everything has a place. That’s the chef-driven philosophy behind James Beard Award Winning Chef Melissa Kelly’s Primo, a restaurant that takes farm-to-table dining to the next level. Primo started in Rockland, ME as a one chef, two cooks kitchen with a greenhouse and one acre of vegetables. Today, Primo Maine operates as a full-service restaurant with a staff of 60, not to mention the substantial farm backing the operation. Primo has also grown beyond the shores of Rockland.
In addition to the eatery’s Tucson location, Chef Kelly opened Primo Orlando in JW Marriott’s Grande Lakes Orlando hotel. Primo has partnered with the hotel since 2003, and her farm-fresh vision allowed JW Marriott to build Whisper Creek Farm in order to facilitate the fine foods of Primo, which has been closed while undergoing a redesign.
“It is an honor for JW Marriott to partner with Melissa Kelly since 2003 when Grande Lakes Orlando opened. Melissa started farm-to-table before it became a trend, her vision inspired us to build Whisper Creek Farm to enable us to infuse the highest quality ingredients into our dishes. We are thrilled to unveil the new rustic Mediterranean décor,” Jon McGavin, Area General Manager at JW Marriott Orlando, said in a press release.
The redesign for the 215-seat dining room and 50-seat terrace was conceptualized by Dutch East Design with Chef Kelly’s Puglian heritage as the impetus. “Puglia’s textural and tonal architecture is the inspiration for the interiors of Primo. The arrival and bar lounge pays homage to an archetypal Italian courtyard with sweeping archways, decorative screens, and furnishings all within a tone appropriate for an al fresco experience. The palette is influenced by a rustic and handmade quality – a mix of aged copper, tumbled limestone, handmade ceramic tile, terra cotta and troweled plaster creating a sublime tactile experience,” shares the press release.
Primo, which was named one of the top 22 new restaurants of 2000 by Esquire Magazine, will serve locally sourced vegetables, fish, and poultry from a variety of Florida farms and vendors. All seafood comes from Florida waters, and Mountain Trail Farm in Clermont will provide the restaurant with whole pigs.
Primo is slated to reopen in JW Marriott at Grande Lakes Orlando on September 23 and is taking reservations for September 24th. Visit JWGrandeLakes.com for more information.
