Isla’s Trey Jenkins OUT as Bar Manager, Roman Murphy IN as Chef de Cuisine

Trey Jenkins is leaving his position as Isla’s bar manager. His last day will be on Saturday, November 28. Roman Murphy is also joining the team as chef de cuisine. Murphy will work under executive chef John Lichtenberger, who also oversees sister restaurant Peche.

Isla changed its menu in light of these staffing changes. The revamped cocktail menu without Jenkins will veer away from tiki drinks, and focus on tequila and rum drinks that pair well with the food. There’s the rum old fashioned, pineapple margarita, and a paloma. New dishes include what owner Rob Pate described as "Carribbean Cantina" fare, like grilled and raw oysters, spam sliders, tacos, baked beans, and more.

Eater’s Bartender of the Year nominee Jenkins worked at Peche before he took over the bar at Isla. His departure is also on the heels of other nominee Travis Tober's exit at Vox Table. Murphy previously worked at Jeffrey’s and Peche. Most recently, he was the chef of Bess Bistro until the Sandra Bullock restaurant shuttered in September.

Update, November 25, 1:37 p.m.: Jenkins will join the Republic National Distributing Company as the mixologist for Austin and San Antonio starting on Monday, November 30.