Chef Farnsworth joined the John’s Island Club, Vero Beach, FL, in September of 1995 and resigned at the end of October 2023, after 27 years. The private residential club is among the Platinum Clubs of America and was awarded the distinction as one of America’s Healthiest Clubs. In 2006, he was given the task to design the kitchens in the new Beach Club. The new, state of the art, 4300 square foot Main Kitchen, has proven to meet the critical demands of “high season” and has exceeded expectations of Membership and Management.  His overall Club responsibilities included directing a staff of 127, managing five kitchens, serving up to 4400 covers per day, with annual F & B sales of $12.4 + million.  Membership usage (cover counts), have tripled to 340,000 per year under his leadership.

In March of 1992, Chef Farnsworth opened the Mayflower Inn for Robert and Adriana Mnuchin in Washington, CT. The Mayflower Inn became a member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux collection, and garnered a Five Star Mobil and a Five Diamond AAA rating during his tenure. Critical acclaim came from the New York Times “Excellent” rating and the Hartford Courant’s “Four Star” rating, as well as being featured in Gourmet magazine articles.

Chef Farnsworth’s extensive culinary career spanned 15 years with Laurance Rockefeller’s Rockresorts, with postings at Caneel Bay, St. John, USVI; Little Dix Bay, Virgin Gorda, BVI; and The Island of Lanai, HI, where he opened The Lodge at Koele and The Manele Bay Hotel. While on the island of Lanai, Food & Wine magazine named him as one of America’s Ten Best New Chef’s in 1991.

Chef Farnsworth is a 1975 High Honor graduate of the Culinary Institute of America.  In 1996, as part of the Institutes 50th Anniversary celebration, he was nominated for an “Augie Award”, named for Chef Auguste Escoffier.

“Passion for the art and respect for the ingredient will bring pleasure to the table”

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