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.
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.
Steven Durocher
Chef Steven Durocher, born and raised in Miami, Florida comes to Saltwater Grill with 23 years of Culinary Experience. Chef Steven has always had a passion for the arts, he started with photography, capturing the essence of moments with his creative eye. His talents and passion developed further into the culinary arts, capturing and creating pallets of art in all his dishes.
Daniel Gibson
Chef Daniel Gibson brings over 21 years of culinary expertise to Saltwater Grill, blending a rich background of Southern roots with global experience. Raised in Niceville, Florida, Chef Daniel developed a passion for cooking from an early age, inspired by watching his mother prepare traditional Southern dishes. This love for Southern cuisine guided his culinary journey, which was further honed at Johnson & Wales University in Miami, Florida.