Our Team
From the minds behind Taverna.
Executive Chef Sam Efron and Co-owner and Partner Kiley Wynne Efron are the same husband-and-wife team that brought Taverna, Taverna Oceana’s older, Italian-inspired sister, to life in 2009. Their innovative takes on culinary classics continue to encourage food lovers to explore exciting twists and turns at Taverna Oceana, Jacksonville’s newest raw bar and seafood concept.
Sam Efron
Executive Chef / Co-Owner
A Jacksonville native, Sam Efron marries formal and experimental training to create his unique culinary style. During his time abroad as an exchange student from Florida State University, Sam discovered a love for European cuisine, inspiring him to enroll in the Culinary Institute of America. Sam’s passion and technical skills were honed in some of the most revered kitchens of New York and San Francisco, including the Four Seasons, Gramercy Tavern, Aqua, and Silks at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel. He came home to Jacksonville and helped open Restaurant Orsay before opening Taverna with his wife, Kiley, in 2009.
Kiley Wynne Efron
Co-Owner / Partner
Kiley Wynne Efron brings her passion for food and wine together with her business acumen to create a remarkable atmosphere at both Taverna and Taverna Oceana. Kiley is known for curating a Wine Spectator Award-winning wine list at Taverna, helping Jacksonville’s locals discover their next favorite bottle. After graduating from California College of the Arts, she spent time in some of California’s finest restaurants, including A16 and Rivoli. In 2009, she joined her husband Sam in opening Taverna and followed the Italian eatery’s success with a sister concept, Taverna Oceana, in 2023.
Meet the people that make it all happen.
Our staff is composed of some of the most talented, passionate, and hard-working hospitality professionals in the business.
Want to join the team?
We pride ourselves on professional development in the restaurant industry. We provide hands-on training and a welcoming environment that embraces fun and unique personalities. If you’d like to explore joining our staff, please send us your resume.
Contact UsWe should be friends
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@TavernaOceana
