60: The Most Interesting Man in Florida, Ed Chiles

Ed Chiles is an entrepreneur, restaurateur, organic farmer, and philanthropist with a family legacy in Florida and national public service. In his conversation with Todd, he shares many moments and lessons from his storied career, including working in a safari park wrangling baboons before entering the hospitality industry. The episode explores Ed's decades-long career building and operating iconic waterfront restaurants on Anna Maria Island, the challenges of navigating events such as red tide and COVID-19, and the decision to sell the business after 45 years. The conversation then turns toward Ed’s work beyond hospitality, including his involvement with Gamble Creek Farm as a model for organic agriculture, his collaboration with Shogun Farms on invasive wild pig management, and his broader insights into local food systems, oyster and seagrass restoration, and innovative approaches to responsible seafood and agricultural practices.Learn more about Gamble Creek Farms at GambleCreekFarms.com.Learn more about Todd's Podcast at ToddDantzler.com.Click here to text Todd!