Chef Alan Ramirez

Chef Alan Ramirez, born and raised in San Luis Rio Colorado Sonora, Mexico, attended Universidad Del Valle de Mexico in Puebla to study International Culinary Business Administration. He started his career in 2010 at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, Arizona, and in 2012, he moved to St. Simons Island, Georgia, to work with Sea Island Resort.

At the age of 22, Alan began to face health issues due to unhealthy eating habits and overly processed foods. He noticed a lack of options for healthy dining on St. Simons Island, which could cater to his dietary restrictions and allergies. He saw an opportunity to promote healthy eating and make fresh locally sourced ingredients more accessible to the local population. Alan decided to put his hard work and dedication into creating a healthy restaurant for the community. Although he worked on this project for many years, he put it on hold as he felt it wasn't the right time.

Alan was later offered a job as a Sous Chef at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort, where he worked for a few years. However, he never lost sight of his dream of opening a healthy restaurant. He took a break from resorts and hotels to gain more experience and knowledge in the food and hospitality industry by working for a concept development company for restaurants and bars. He was promoted to Executive Chef after earning their trust, and he was responsible for overseeing the operation of four different restaurant concepts and two bars simultaneously.

Alan and his family eventually decided to move back to St. Simons Island to raise their children. After much consideration, Alan knew it was time to pursue his dream of opening his own restaurant. In the fall of 2018, he started looking for a location to lease. It was during this time that he met Mayte Cruz, Chef and Owner of Chile Peppers Island Cantina. They shared a vision of creating a healthy restaurant on St. Simons Island and decided to work together. Mayte had a small place located in Retreat Plaza, and when Alan first walked through the door, he had a feeling that it was now or never. They immediately started working on what is now Sea Salt Healthy Kitchen on St. Simons Island.