Jason M. Klingensmith has been hired as the executive chef for the Alfond Inn at Rollins and its restaurant, Hamilton’s Kitchen. Klingensmith was a longtime executive chef at the Country Club of Orlando and replaces Marc Kusche, who left the Alfond in March, ironically, to accept an executive chef position at the Country Club of Lake Nona.

Klingensmith, a Miami native and graduate of Southeastern Culinary Academy, says that he will be making changes to the popular Hamilton’s Kitchen menu, offering several new dishes that will “source as many local ingredients as possible and lighten the menu with the addition of salads, lighter sauces and half orders, while creating ‘Southern-inspired’ fare with a modern spin.”

He is also looking to expand the Chef’s Table offerings with more impromptu, market inspired dinners.

Klingensmith would also like the Rollins College-owned facility to be something of a culinary classroom. He plans to offer small cooking classes and demonstrations along with walking tours of the Winter Park Farmer’s Market. I can attest to Klingensmith’s teaching abilities. I recently attended a cooking class he was offering in the private home of a friend. He has an easy-going personality and is patient with newbies.

Sounds like some good, exciting changes could be coming.