On the Island

Boaters invited to do lunch at Star

Café-style offerings to enhance visitor experience

Seacoast boaters and Star Island’s overnight guests can look forward to a new level of dining service at the Isles of Shoals this summer.

“Our goal is to enhance the visitor experience at Star Island,” said John Bynum, Star Island’s new food service manager. “Step ashore, come up to the snack bar and enjoy Star Island’s signature lime rickey on the front porch of the historic Ocean Hotel. Order a picnic lunch to take back to the boat or relax on the front lawn.”

Bynum, who brings a healthy flare to the Shoals kitchen, will introduce café-style food offerings for weekend boaters and overnight guests at the island this summer. The snack bar, which has long been known to kids and families for its breakfast sandwiches, hot dogs and ice cream service, will soon get an upgrade. This new café-style experience will include gluten-free and vegan offerings. The menu will feature fruits and vegetables from Star Island’s new organic garden and include such items as healthy wraps, salads, fruit platters and vegetable crudites with hummus.

“We are hoping Star Island will become a destination for boaters and day visitors aboard the M/V Thomas Laighton,” Bynum said. “We would like all of our guests to look forward to enjoying the food on island. We would like people to say, ‘let’s go to Star for a lime rickey and a turkey sandwich with cranberry chutney or a roast beef sandwich with boursin cheese.’ We also want people to know there are opportunities for catered events here as well.”

Bynum, a Salem resident, joined the Star Island staff in 2011 after several years at The Wang Theater in Boston. He carries a passion for creating great-tasting healthy recipes based on his study of culinary arts and food service marketing at Rhode Island-based Johnson & Wales. Bynum will kick-off the season in his new role by catering the post-race reception of the Gosport Regatta at the historic Oceanic Hotel on Saturday, June 9.

“Our Gosport Regatta menu is designed to showcase what weekend boaters and guests can expect at Star Island this year,” he said. “We would like to invite boaters to come to Gosport Harbor and spend the day at Star Island.”