Newness is Brewing at Bodacious

Bodacious Shops in Pensacola strives to be known for its freshness, which is why they recently brought on a new chef, Chris Voorhees, to put a fresh take on their cafe menu.

Nestled in downtown Pensacola stands the welcoming brick facade of Bodacious, a haven for healthy food, premium olive oils and vinegars, craft coffee and a delightful kitchenry store. Amidst many options for fast food, Bodacious Shops presents breakfast and lunch options that are quick yet healthy and fulfilling.

In March 2024, chef Chris Voorhees arrived to return consistency and creativity to the menu. He’s brought the kitchen back to the basics of a scratch kitchen, utilizing fresh and local ingredients whenever possible.

Voorhees’ first foray into cooking began in his grandmother’s kitchen, where he learned the tradition and importance of crafting a roux for gumbo. While the meals weren’t necessarily fancy, there was a certain attention to detail that promised a delicious meal.

Voorhees spent a decade in kitchens before enrolling in culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu in Scottsdale, Arizona. After graduating, he worked throughout the country, with stints in Vegas, Seattle, Los Angeles, the Caribbean and more, before returning to his hometown of Pensacola, where he was hired as the chef for the Blue Wahoos in 2012.

He would go on to be the Team Chef for the Jacksonville Jaguars and then head of the culinary department for UF Health in Jacksonville during the pandemic. While Voorhees found value in his work and was grateful for the job, he felt drained, deciding to take a 22-month RV trip across the United States with his wife and son.

By traveling, he got to experience new flavor profiles and experiences, which scratched his itch to get back in the kitchen. Through his prior connection with the Studer family by working with the Blue Wahoos, he found they were hiring for Bodacious Shops.

“I knew the Studers were great people, and I saw being the chef at Bodacious as a great way to give back to and connect with the community while getting to make my mark and put my own spin on things in the kitchen,” said Voorhees.

In the cafe, you will find meals infused with vibrant colors and rich flavors, as Chef Voorhees utilizes fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, and Bodacious’ signature oils and vinegars in all dressings and sauces.

Menu options include sandwiches, wraps, salads, flatbreads, acai bowls, pastries and more. Voorhees excels in creating monthly specials and is eager to roll out new permanent menu items throughout the summer and into the fall.

“It’s important to me to serve a fresh, flavorful meal that our guests find value in,” said Voorhees. “Our team strives to prepare and serve great food and coffee, and we look forward to seeing our regulars and first time customers who are stopping in for the first time.”

Bodacious Shops 

407 S. Palafox St., Pensacola  |  BodaciousShops.com  |  (850) 433-6505