'Sandwich King' Owen Han returns to Out of Door Academy

By Lesley Dwyer
| 1:00 p.m. December 10, 2024

Owen Han is joined by his sister Olimpia Ruzbacki and her children Hawk, Haze and Cypress.

East County
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With more than 7 million followers on TikTok, Owen Han has been nicknamed the “Sandwich King.”

He’s also an Out-of-Door Academy “lifer.” The former Sarasota resident was enrolled in kindergarten and graduated from the upper school in Lakewood Ranch in 2016.

While he lives in Los Angeles now, Han has not forgotten his roots. He spent the entire school day and evening on campus speaking to students and parents on Dec. 9.

“Being a lifer from K-12, you know the teachers so well,” Han said. “It feels very much like coming back home to a second home.”

Han remarked that even though the campus has expanded, not much has changed because of "the staples,” such as the quad and gymnasium. He also gave a nod to his favorite spot, the cafeteria.

“ODA would do a sandwich of the day,” Han said. “I kid you not, whatever they were serving, I was getting that sandwich.”

Hans turkey crunch sandwich, which is featured in his new book “Stacked: The Art of the Perfect Sandwich,” was served to students during his visit.

“We sold out of it,” Director of Development Michael Salmon said. “I didn’t even get one.”

Turkey crunch sandwich with frico crisps

Ingredients

2 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled
1 cup/30 g packed fresh basil leaves
½ cup/50 g freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
¼ cup/35 g pine nuts
½ cup/120 ml extra virgin olive oil, plus more for topping
Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 slices sourdough bread, lightly toasted
10 ounces/280 g thinly sliced turkey, preferably oven-roasted style
4 to 5 frico crisps
2 red onion slices, separated into rings
Mild or hot pickled banana pepper rings
2 tablespoons Calabrian mayonnaise

Directions

1. Make the basil pesto: With the food processor running, drop the garlic through the feed tube to mince the garlic. Add the basil, cheese, and pine nuts and process until the basil is minced. With the machine running, gradually pour the oil through the feed tube and process until thick and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

2. For each sandwich, spread 1 tablespoon of the pesto on a slice of bread. Top with half of the turkey, followed by half of the crisps (broken to fit, if necessary), half of the red onion, and as many peppers as you like. Spread a second slice of bread with 1 tablespoon of the mayonnaise and use it to cap the sandwich. Cut in half and serve.

Catherine and Michele Abrams attend "An evening with the Sandwich King" at the Out of Door Academy on Dec. 9.

Biology teacher Mike Newhams stands with Violette Levy. What Newhams remembers most about Owen Han is that he was kind.

Kiarra Womack and Andre McClerklin pick up a copy of Owen Han's book. Womack remembers Han as sweet and hilarious.

Todd and Kristie Parker's daughter attends the Out of Door Academy.

Melissa and Wes Boland are also foodie influencers. Their YouTube channel is called Travel and Food Warriors.

Caroline Amory and Marjorie Floyd are "wildly supportive" of everything the Out of Door Academy does. Floyd is an ODA trustee.

Audrey and Evan Randall's three children attend the Out of Door Academy. Audrey Randall is also on the board.

Tom and Susan Meyers' daughter Brooke rarely has much to say about school, but she came home raving about Owen Han's visit.

Owen Han signs a copy of his new book for Marjorie Floyd.

author

Lesley Dwyer

Lesley Dwyer is a staff writer for East County and a graduate of the University of South Florida. After earning a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing, she freelanced for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Lesley has lived in the Sarasota area for over 25 years.