In his position as executive chef of Yacht Haven Grande (YHG), Chef Brian Katz oversees all culinary aspects of this destination marina’s four waterfront restaurants.  This includes: Fat Turtle – a Rockin’ Caribbean Roadhouse, featuring creative-fun seafood, great salads, gourmet pizzas and exotic frozen drinks; W!kked – fresh and fun casual island fare featuring Wikked Wings, W!kked Tacos, and W!ikked Cocktails; Grande Cru – sophisticated wine bar and restaurant, featuring tasting flights, mixologist martinis & cocktails, and tropical cuisine with a Mediterranean flair; and Three60 – YHG’s signature restaurant and the ultimate in St. Thomas gourmet dining, this restaurant is situated at the end of a pier in the middle of the harbor with spectacular 360° panoramic views and a menu inspired by local specialties with Latin and Asian twists (opening soon!).

Born in Long Island, New York, Chef Katz received his first culinary experience as a teenager, where he worked at a French restaurant in the small town of Little Neck, New York. Upon high school graduation, Katz left New York to pursue a dual degree in Cognitive Science and Comparative Literature at the University of California, San Diego.  While there, he worked his way through school at The Fish Market, a restaurant specializing in offering fresh fish directly from its own boats.  Although the job was supposed to be a means to another end, he fell in love with cooking and realized that this was truly his calling.  After completing his degree, Katz made his way to New Orleans to continue his pursuit of culinary knowledge. He spent the next five years honing his skills in New Orleans at restaurants featuring varied types of cuisine; working for such noted culinarians as Chef Kevin Graham, Chef Anita Hinojosa Montero and Chef Emeril Lagasse.

In 1997, lured by his love of diving and to continue with his culinary career, Katz moved to St. Thomas.   Within a year and a half, he became executive chef of The Old Stone Farmhouse.  In the following six years, he and his wife, Julia, brought back the historic charm of the Old Stone Farm House and a new ethic of excellence.  While there, Katz was voted Best Chef on St. Thomas twice and The Old Stone Farm House was consistently voted best gourmet restaurant on St. Thomas -- receiving the Wine Spectator "Award of Excellence" in 2003, 2004 and 2005, and in 2004, voted by the readers of Caribbean Travel & Life magazine as the best gourmet restaurant in the Caribbean. 

Intrigued and inspired by the quality and the vision of Island Global Yachting’s redevelopment of Yacht Haven Grande in the harbor of Charlotte Amalie, in 2006, Katz signed on to be the Executive Chef of the facility and its four restaurants.  Through his culinary direction and knowledge of the Island’s restaurant scene, Katz has been instrumental in the development of the restaurant concepts for YHG.  Overseeing these four distinct dining platforms, he has not only moved his cuisine forward, but has expanded his business acumen.

Katz lives in St. Thomas, USVI with his wife, Julia and their sons Jackson and Raleigh. 

Awards and Accolades