Cocina 214 Announces General Manager

April 6, 2011 - PRLog -- Winter Park, Fla. – (March XX, 2011) – Cocina 214, opening May 5, will be led by a restaurant-industry veteran, who will oversee all aspects of operations in the front-of-house.

Oscar Gaona has been hired as General Manager for the new Winter Park restaurant, Cocina 214.

Gaona brings an extensive restaurant background and knowledge to Cocina 214. He’s been working in the restaurant industry for over 25 years.

He worked his way up through the ranks, starting out as a dishwasher, working in the kitchen, as a bartender, serving at hotel banquets and waiting tables until becoming General Manager of Dallas area Tex-Mex giant, Mi Cocina, in 1998.

Gaona worked primarily at the Highland Park location, but he played an integral role at the chain’s other 15 locations with floor plan development, training and implementing processes and procedures of management.

With a broad knowledge of the restaurant industry he will combine it all together to create a new dining experience at Cocina 214, now under construction in the heart of Winter Park.

“What I’ve learned during all my years is treat customers with respect, give exceptional service and deliver consistent, unique food - that is what turns guests into loyal fans,” said Gaona. “Cocina 214 will have all of those elements and so much more to offer, I can’t wait to see the response.”

Gaona’s main responsibilities will include overseeing quality control, customer service, order execution, staffing, payroll functions, training, purchasing and receivables.

“We have the utmost faith in Oscar’s capabilities,” said Russ Greer, managing partner of the Cocina 214 ownership group. “His work ethic and accomplishments are impeccable; he will definitely be a huge success factor for our restaurant.”
Cocina 214 will offer creative, gourmet interpretations of traditional Mexican and Tex-Mex favorites. The restaurant will offer diners bold flavors from around the world, using the freshest local ingredients to create gourmet versions of old-world favorites - all served in a vibrant, refined setting.
Cocina 214 is located at 151 Welbourne Ave. (directly behind Williams-Sonoma). When completed, the 8,220 square foot building will seat 171 people, including patio seating and a full bar.

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