Our Team
Bennie Cohen
General Manager Bennie Cohen joined the Saltwater Grill team in June 2022. The Memphis, Tennessee, native oversees daily operations, meaning he is responsible for everything from hiring and training staff members to problem solving and creating work schedules.
Prior to joining the Saltwater Grill team, Bennie spent 19 years with J. Alexander’s in Memphis. Throughout his nearly two-decade stint, he held multiple positions, including bar manager and assistant general manager. The latter nine years of his time with J. Alexander’s was spent at the helm. As assistant general manager, he oversaw daily operations, while paying close attention to costs, and profit-and-loss margins.
Bennie’s favorite part about working for Spell Restaurant Group is that they share the same passion for quality and standards that he’s familiar with from working in the corporate restaurant world, but with more of a family oriented feel. Like SRG, Bennie prides himself on making sure the staff is happy and in a great working environment.
When this Grouper Imperial fan (you’ve gotta try it!) is away from the restaurant, he enjoys spending time with his wife Jessica and their twin boys Hardin and Gabriel. A lover of sports, Bennie also likes to play ice hockey and ping pong.
Heather Baltrym
Heather hails from Keflavik, Iceland – pretty cool, huh? She arrived in Panama City Beach in 1994 after her father was stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base. She graduated from Mosley High School and continued her education at Gulf Coast State College where she studied criminology.
For more than 20 years, Heather has worked in all areas of the restaurant industry – from front-of-house to back-of-house and everywhere in between. As assistant manager at Saltwater Grill, she does a stellar job of ensuring guests are taken care of and have an unforgettable experience, as well as arming the team with what they need to do their jobs exceptionally well.
When she is off the clock, you can find Heather spending time with her husband and cats, coloring or taking photos. During your next visit to Saltwater Grill, she highly recommends giving her three favorite dishes a try – Lobster Bisque, Diver Scallops and Crème Brulée.
Daryn Garcia
Chef Daryn Garcia, a Miami, Florida, native, headed north to the Panhandle in spring 2022 and joined the Saltwater Grill team soon after. As executive chef, he oversees the back-of-house staff, manages the menu and ensures all dishes that leave the kitchen are of the highest quality.
Chef Daryn’s love for cooking and being creative was brought to life by his grandmother, from whom he draws culinary inspiration. As a seasoned restaurant industry veteran, he has found he also enjoys mentoring staff from all walks of life and cultures, too. When he is away from the kitchen, you can find Chef Daryn fishing, spending time in the great outdoors or digging into a big bowl of our Seafood Tagliatelle.