Palm Beach County is getting another national moment on Food Network.
This time, it is Driftwood, the Boynton Beach restaurant led by chef Jimmy Everett. The popular spot appears on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive‑Ins and Dives” on May 8 at 9 p.m.
While Food Network is mostly keeping episode specifics under wraps ahead of the broadcast, one thing is clear: Driftwood is not a diner, not a drive‑in and not a dive.
That distinction matters.
Once known almost exclusively for classic roadside stops and comfort‑food institutions, “DDD” as enthusiastic fans call it, now features a broader range of restaurants.
Driftwood’s inclusion reflects that shift and signals how the local dining scene continues to draw national attention beyond the expected.
A chef shaped by New York City’s top kitchens
At the center of the story is Everett, whose résumé includes some of New York City’s most influential kitchens.
Before returning to South Florida, Everett worked at Eleven Madison Park under Daniel Humm, a defining force in modern fine dining.
He later became the opening executive sous chef at Marea, helping launch Michael White’s Michelin‑recognized Italian restaurant during its early years.
Those experiences shape how Everett approaches cooking today. Driftwood, however, does not aim to recreate fine dining in a neighborhood setting.
Instead, the restaurant applies discipline, technique and intention to a locally driven concept that feels grounded rather than imported.
A restaurant built for Boynton Beach
Everett grew up in Boynton Beach, where he was born at Bethesda Hospital. He returned with purpose.
He opened Driftwood with his wife Ilia Gonzalez-Colon in 2017, and the restaurant quickly earned a following for its thoughtful approach and understated confidence.
It is not built around trends or theatrics, which makes its selection by the show particularly notable.
Driftwood joins a growing list of independent, chef‑led restaurants to land a DDD visit, reinforcing the region’s rise on the national food stage.
Once viewed largely through the lens of resort dining, the area is increasingly defined by restaurants that reflect the backgrounds and ambitions of the chefs leading them.
“Diners, Drive‑Ins and Dives” remains one of Food Network’s most influential shows. A single episode can introduce a restaurant to millions of viewers and shape how a city or region is perceived.
In recent months, Fieri’s appearances at Alaina’s Café & Bake Shop and Nevs Barbecue have sparked renewed interest from locals and drawn attention from viewers well beyond South Florida.
Modern, restrained and quietly confident
What sets Driftwood apart is its tone. There is nothing ironic, kitschy or nostalgic at play. That approach extends to the menu, divided into smaller and larger plates and built around local ingredients, with dishes like poached Florida lobster and golden tilefish sourced from Cape Canaveral that reflect the kitchen’s range.
The restaurant feels modern without striving to be trendy, shaped by Everett’s fine‑dining training and his understanding of what works in a coastal Florida dining room.
That approach mirrors where dining in Palm Beach County is headed. More chefs with national pedigrees are choosing to build their careers locally, opening restaurants intended to last rather than chase short‑term attention.
Driftwood’s DDD moment feels less like a surprise and more like a confirmation of that shift.
National attention at the right moment
For Everett, the exposure arrives at a moment when Driftwood is firmly established but still evolving.
Since 2017, the restaurant has built a loyal base without relying on flash or novelty. That restraint often distinguishes chefs shaped by high‑pressure kitchens, where consistency and precision matter more than attention.
When the “From Bunny Chow to Chicken Oysters” episode airs, viewers across the country will see Boynton Beach on their screens, with Driftwood in focus. For Palm Beach County, it serves as another reminder that the local dining scene is no longer flying under the radar.
And for those waiting to see what caught Guy Fieri’s attention, the countdown is officially on.
