Legend of Island Gypsy

Chef Everett Fromm is a seafood-driven chef whose cooking pairs rustic comfort with refined technique. Everett first cooked at Island Gypsy, spent time leading the kitchen at its sister restaurant, and is now back where he started on the Isles of Capri.

“I love hogfish due to their beauty and mild flavor,” he says. “It can be prepared a lot of different ways.” His hogfish dishes have included a pan-roasted fillet with melted leeks, jumbo lump crab, blistered tomatoes and a charred citrus beurre blanc, and a grilled version with stone crab, English peas, Lil’ Moo cheese risotto, Meyer lemon beurre blanc and Thai basil oil.

His approach is all about balance: mild vegetables, a touch of acidity for texture and a light sauce that brings out the natural sweetness of the fish. His advice for buying seafood is simple. It should smell fresh, sweet and like the sea, and the fillets should be firm, never mushy or waterlogged. Season it gently and let the fish shine.

Nick Alajajian is a seasoned culinary professional with a deep-seated passion for the restaurant business. As the manager for the kitchen and front of house at Island Gypsy Cafe, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. Born and raised in Naples, Florida, Nick has always been drawn to the world of culinary management, and his upbringing in the family business only served to further fuel this passion.

Nick holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Florida, which he obtained in 2013. Shortly thereafter, he joined the family business at Island Gypsy Cafe, where he has been a fixture ever since. He is inspired by his father, Jerry Alajajian, the owner of the restaurant, and loves interacting with the customers and coworkers on a daily basis.

In his free time, Nick enjoys fishing and spending time with his daughters. His favorite dish at Island Gypsy Cafe is the “Gator Nicks” Chicken Wings, named after him, and his favorite drink is the Crazy Cuban. Nick is also an all-american athlete, having played football at the University of Florida for four years. He is a big Gators fan and loves the laid-back Key West vibe of Island Gypsy Cafe. Go Gators!

Born and raised in Sebago Lake Maine, Kim earned her Bachelor's degree in Biology and an Associates degree in Exotic Animal Training and Management before spending 22 years as a killer whale and dolphin trainer at a park in Northern California. Kim's path to hospitality took an interesting turn when she left her career in animal training and relocated from California to the Orlando area. Her journey in the hospitality industry began with serving and managing the beverage cart at a local golf course - a fortuitous position that led her to meet her now husband, who works in the golf business.

For seven years, Kim and her husband lived a unique lifestyle, splitting their time between Florida in the winter months and Maine during the summers (what we like to call in Florida a 'snowbird'), giving her experience in diverse hospitality environments and seasonal operations.

Since joining Island Gypsy in January 2021, Kim has found her passion working in the waterfront setting. What she loves most about her role is working outside on the water and the family atmosphere that permeates the establishment. When asked about her favorite items on the menu, she enthusiastically recommends the Gypsy Steak Sliders paired with the Key Lime Colada. In her free time, Kim, along with her husband, manages a house watch business, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to service. Her diverse background, from marine animal training to hospitality management, and her love for the waterfront environment make her a valuable member of the Island Gypsy team.