Blog

Capt. Ron shows you how to cook Mutton Snapper!

Captain Ron Gauthier shows how to cook snowy grouper using a Bahamian recipe from Vida of Bootle Bay.

Captain Ron Gauthier is smokin’ fresh Amberjack!

A charter captain, a master chef and a business executive walk into seafood market…No, it’s not the beginning of a joke, but the start of something much bigger. Through a series of fortuitous connections, the team came together to create Ocean Harvest Market and Grill.

“When times got tough for the charter business two years ago, we hatched a plan to make use of a space I had on Manatee Avenue, selling smoked mullet and BBQ,” business manager Mike Guccione told me. Captain Ron Gauthier and Mike Guccione had met years earlier when Captain Ron’s wife was working at Serengeti Eyewear, one of Guccione’s former businesses. The two became friends and fished together for more than two decades. Chef Mark Baker, former Chef de Cuisine for Roy’s Hawaiian fusion in Honolulu and Tampa, used to pass the then-outdoor market every day to and from work and volunteered to become a part of the team. Soon, the business moved indoors, and in April of 2010, expanded from a simple fish market to a sit-down restaurant.

READ MORE AT METROMIX…

Check out the July/August 2011 issue of GAFF Magazine to see your very own Ocean Harvest Market featured.

Here’s a pdf of our article.

Innovation & Job News

Ocean Harvest Market in Bradenton opened its doors in April 2010. Founded by Ron Gauthier, commercial fisherman and charter boat captain and Mike Guccione, commercial fisherman, Ocean Harvest Market is committed to selling fresh fish caught in the Gulf of Mexico and local waters by area fisherman.

Within less than 30 days of opening, the BP oil spill tragedy threatened to reach the Gulf of Mexico coastline, pollute the waters and negatively impact sea life. All of this would serve as a threat to Ocean Harvest Market whose primary business comes from the Gulf…

Published: Friday, Jul. 01, 2011
Updated: Friday, Jul. 01, 2011
By WADE TATANGELO
wtatangelo@bradenton.com

BRADENTON — Mark Baker dreams of culinary creations.

“I keep a notebook next to the bed so I can jot them down,” he said.

The executive chef at Ocean Harvest Market & Grill, 5718 Manatee Ave. W., makes dishes as innovative as they are delectable.

He learned to be daring and detailed while working next to Roy Yamaguchi at the celebrity chef’s original Roy’s restaurant in Honolulu.

“Roy taught me to be meticulous in how you prepare things,” Baker said. “And to season things properly involving all fives tastes: sweet, sour, salty and umami … Japanese for ‘mouth feel.’ ”

Yamaguchi also stressed “never, ever stop evolving,” Baker said. “You can make a great entree and then a week later realize it can be more complex but the same dish — only better.”

Those lessons learned at Roy’s are clearly reflected at Ocean Harvest.

“Do you like calamari?” Baker asked before presenting his prized appetizer: squid fries with curried sweet chili aioli.

“Try the Key lime pie,” suggested son and aspiring chef Caleb Baker, age 12.

Topped with fresh, sweet strawberries and homemade whipped cream, the dessert defied the highest of expectations.

Entrees at Ocean Harvest include pistachio-crusted calamari steaks with amaretto-lemon butter, grilled tofu and vegetable tower as well as smoked prime rib.

“I get to do the things I want to do here,” the 53-year-old said.

Not quite the same at Roy’s — especially in the beginning.

“I took more abuse from Roy than anyone else,” Baker said with a smile and shake of the head.

Features Locally Caught Seafood

BRADENTON – Customers at the Ocean Harvest Market choose from an extensive variety of high-quality seafood and shellfish, all of which are locally caught. Afterward, they can enjoy freshly made smoked BBQ outside. 

The only frozen product is the Colossal Tiger Shrimp from Hawaii, a rare delicacy, harvested in an ocean farm and flown to Bradenton.

The establishment not only serves as an eat-in café & marketplace, but also prepares take-out meals.

“Ocean Harvest Market fills a niche in the West Bradenton market,” said owner Mike Guccinone…

category: Business and Professional  posted:May 7th, 2010

Bradenton, FL—What does a successful retired entrepreneur do?  Anything but…  Mike Guccione, retired from Wal-Mart at 42, started Serengetti Eyewear, sold it,  and,  retired again. His favorite sport is fishing and after becoming friends with Captain Ron Gauthier, they teamed up to open the Ocean Harvest Market in West Bradenton.

Customers are flocking to Ocean Harvest Market for locally caught fresh fish and smoked bar-b-q. Shop or enjoy their restaurant; choosing among their extensive variety of seafood and shellfish or bar-b-q. Customers may eat there, shop for dinner or purchase a take-out meal, which can be heated at home in a matter of minutes.

Executive Chef Mark Baker brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Ocean Harvest Market. Trained in Japan and Hawaii, Baker was one of the original chefs with Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion in Honolulu and opened their Tampa location…