Kris Wessel Leaves Florida Cookery, Forms Consume Restaurant Group

Just a year after opening, Kris Wessel has cut ties with Florida Cookery, the restaurant based on old-Florida recipes. Wessel, who named the restaurant after his grandmother's cookbook, leaves the restaurant, located inside the James Royal Palm Hotel in South Beach, to pursue other career avenues. See also: Kris Wessel:...

By Laine Doss

November 18, 2013

Help us weather the uncertain future

We know — the economic times are hard. We believe that our work of reporting on the critical stories unfolding right now is more important than ever.

We need to raise $6,000 to meet our goal by August 10. If you’re able to make a contribution of any amount, your dollars will make an immediate difference in helping ensure the future of local journalism in Miami. Thanks for reading Miami New Times.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$6,000

$3,600

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "22004575",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "22595215",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17482312",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18711090",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "23181625",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18711090",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17720761",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

Just a year after opening, Kris Wessel has cut ties with Florida Cookery, the restaurant based on old-Florida recipes.

Wessel, who named the restaurant after his grandmother's cookbook, leaves the restaurant, located inside the James Royal Palm Hotel in South Beach, to pursue other career avenues.

The chef, who was born in Miami but spent much of his childhood in New Orleans, has formed Consume Restaurant Group and is looking to open dining concepts in both cities.

Prior to Florida Cookery, Wessel owned and operated Red Light Little River, a small, critically acclaimed eatery that opened in 2008, and closed abruptly in 2012, after the hotel the restaurant was located in, changed ownership.

In a statement, Wessel said that his contract with the James Royal Palm has ended, "the restaurant is a year old and we have created an original concept integral to the cuisine and cultures of Florida. I wish the James and Florida Cookery much success in sustaining their beautiful property in Miami Beach."

Follow Laine Doss on Twitter @LaineDoss and Facebook.

Follow Short Order on Facebook, on Twitter @Short_Order, and Instagram @ShortOrder.

Laine Doss is the former food editor of Miami New Times. She has been featured on Cooking Channel's Eat Street and Food Network's Great Food Truck Race. She won an Alternative Weekly award for her feature about what it's like to wait tables.

A message from Food & Drink Editor Nicole Lopez-Alvar: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Miami's evolving dining scene and the latest culinary innovations our community offers.

Support Today