VIP Treatment is standard at OCEAN PRIME.
We pride ourselves on providing exceptional service. Our team members are “great people delivering genuine hospitality,” and it’s no accident that we put “people” first in our company motto. Heartfelt hospitality is our key to the consistently exceptional service you can expect at OCEAN PRIME. Our team will do everything possible to ensure our guests have a truly amazing experience.
Executive Chef
Lucas Montoya
Lucas Montoya started his career in the restaurant industry as a busser in a small hometown diner, just to earn extra cash. Through this experience, he started to be interested in the kitchen, and became a line cook, and ultimately decided to enroll in culinary school. Lucas received his Associates Degree in Applied Science, specializing in Culinary Arts from Baker College Culinary Institute of Michigan.
After six years in the restaurant industry, Lucas found his way to Ocean Prime. He began his career with Ocean Prime in Troy in 2015 before moving to Chicago as part of the opening team for Ocean Prime Chicago, where he was Sous Chef. In 2020, Lucas was promoted to Executive Sous Chef before accepting his current position as Executive Chef in Spring of 2021.
Throughout his professional career, Lucas has learned many lessons but the greatest one being to take time to care for yourself and your people. When not in the kitchen, you can find Lucas fishing, hiking or traveling!
General Manager
Maureen DeLuca
A Michigan native and graduate of Michigan State University, Maureen DeLuca fell in love with the restaurant and hospitality industry when she was 15 years old and working at a diner near her high school. Her love did not end there, as she continued to pursue her career in hospitality after college. Before making the leap to Ocean Prime and Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, Maureen was a bartender and supervisor at numerous restaurant companies.
Maureen made the transition to CMR in 2015, where she joined our team in Troy, Michigan. Since joining the CMR family, Maureen has had the opportunity to enjoy one of her favorite things– travel! Maureen has traveled and worked at numerous Ocean Prime locations across the county, including our Naples, FL and Columbus, OH locations. Before she rejoined the Chicago team, Maureen was most recently the General Manager at Ocean Prime Troy.
Through her many moves with CMR, Maureen has been able to experience the growth that she knew was possible from day one with the company. Maureen says that her key to professional growth has been having humility. Self-reflecting, admitting mistakes, and being open to feedback have made her career with Ocean Prime very rewarding. When not at the restaurant, you can find Maureen traveling, hiking, biking, cooking or exploring Chicago!
Sales & Event Manager
Aaron Henze
Growing up in rural Illinois, Aaron Henze spent summer days cooking and baking with his grandmother, who was a big influence on his childhood and love for food. His first restaurant job was at a small Italian restaurant in his hometown, where he did everything from washing dishes to cooking and serving.
Throughout his career, Aaron has learned to work hard and accept change, even when it isn’t easy. He believes that hard work always pays off in the long run, and change is an opportunity to learn and grow. In 2019, Aaron joined the Ocean Prime Chicago team and loves coming into the restaurant every day to work with the Ocean Prime family.
Aaron enjoys riding his bicycle, exploring new areas of Chicago, shopping and movies. He has an associate degree in Culinary Arts and a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from Robert Morris University.