John Wehner’s Village Door 98 proudly announces Chef Ernie DanJean has joined the team as the new executive chef of their new location in Seascape Towne Centre. Chef Ernie is well known locally from his past endeavors as the owner and executive chef of both Café New Orleans and Ernie’s Dockside Café & Oyster Bar in Niceville. His experience as a restaurant owner and talented chef will be an incredible addition to the Village Door.
Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Chef Ernie grew up in the kitchen. With a family full of incredible cooks, Ernie learned the essence of true Cajun cuisine from both his mother and grandmother and all the family recipes including, gumbo, Bienville, and their family’s famous chicken and andouille sausage jambalaya. His father, affectionately known as “Big Dan,” was the owner of Danny & Clyde’s Po-Boys chain where Ernie learned the ins and outs of foodservice operations. Chef Ernie moved to Destin in 1998 with his wife, Dawn, and has since worked alongside with popular area restauranteurs such as Chan Cox, Jim Altamura, and Mike Abadie.
Today, Chef Ernie looks forward to a new page in his journey as he takes his place within the Village Door 98 family. With the addition of Ernie Danjean, the Village Door’s new dinner menu will feature several Cajun cuisine staples including PO’ boys, muffulettas and more. He will also bring a Cajun flair to the Sunday brunch offerings and more.
“With the origination of Famous Door on Bourbon Street and as a New Orleanian myself, we feel like Ernie is a perfect fit for our team,” said Village Door owner, John Wehner. “He’s already created an incredible new dinner menu and we look forward to the Cajun flavor he will bring in not only the food but the spirit of the restaurant.
