Acclaimed Chef and Author Dean Max of Harbor Beach Marriott Hosts Summer School Behind the Burners

Ft. Lauderdale – April, 2007 – Teens with visions of hosting their own show on the Food Network can take their dreams for a spin this summer and see if they can take the heat in the kitchen. Renowned Chef Dean Max, of the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa’s 3030 Ocean restaurant, will host the Florida beach resort’s first-ever Culinary Camp.

Ambitious food enthusiasts, ages 16 through 18, will learn everything from working with vendors to planning and executing a menu under the tutelage of Chef Max, celebrated author of A Life By the Sea. This Florida beach resort’s six-night exclusive learning vacation is being offered August 11- 17, 2007 and is priced at $680 per night, inclusive of culinary instruction for one teen and an ocean-view guest room, which accommodates a family of four so mom and dad can enjoy a vacation while junior cooks.* Additional rooms can be added to this package, starting as low as $230 per night.**

This elite workshop is targeted at high school students who are interested in pursuing a culinary career. Chef Max’s summer program at the hotel’s Fort Lauderdale restaurant will be limited to eight students, whom he will personally select from a pool of applicants. Chef Max will base his decision on a candidate’s references, past cooking experience and an essay detailing one’s commitment to the culinary profession. Graduates will receive a certificate of completion as well as a personal letter of recommendation from Chef Max. Students chosen for the program will be notified in advance. After surviving the heat of the kitchen, newly-trained culinary maestros will prepare a six-course dinner for their parents.

“During my teenage years, I knew I was destined to be in the culinary field as I cooked alongside my grandfather who was a chef,” said Chef Max. “I was fortunate enough to gain guidance and insight into the industry at an early age, which is the objective of the Culinary Camp. Students will learn basic skills and knowledge to help them get their foot in the door. I want candidates to understand that I didn’t jump from being a chef to writing a cookbook overnight, there were many steps involved, which I hope to give them a glimpse of this summer.”

This gastronomic learning vacation will give wannabe chefs A-to-Z insight on the culinary profession. Daily camp activities will include visits to local merchants, including a fish farm, seafood purveyors, produce market and meat warehouse; an introduction to the restaurant ordering system and elements of cost control; menu development and preparation, as well as other behind-the-scenes, day-to-day restaurant operations.

One of South Florida’s foremost seafood experts, Chef Dean Max was recently named to the Florida Department of Agriculture’s Seafood and Aquaculture Advisory Committee. As the executive chef of 3030 Ocean, the hotel’s premier Fort Lauderdale seafood restaurant, his sophisticated yet simple, modern American seafood creations are a favorite of hotel guests and Florida residents.

When stepping away from the stove, students will be able to take in the sun with their family on the largest private beach in South Florida. As Fort Lauderdale’s premier resort, Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa offers a wide range of water sports and activities from scuba diving off one of the best shore dive locations in the country to learning how to ride the waves with surfing lessons.

Candidates can apply for the Culinary Camp workshop until June 1, 2007. For further information or to receive an application, please call the resort’s Personal Vacation Planners at (800) 628-4462. Interested parties can also apply online via www.marriottharborbeach.com (click on Dine With Us and scroll to 3030 Ocean to view form) or go directly to www.3030ocean.com.

About the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is a premier Fort Lauderdale beach hotel featuring 637 guest rooms, including 35 luxurious suites, all of which include two-lined telephones with message service, data ports, high-speed Internet access, a 25” cable TV with PlayStation capability, deluxe bedding, in-room safe, individual climate control, mini-bar and more. The South Florida spa on the property, the Spa at Harbor Beach, is listed in “100 Best Spas of the World,” and is a 20,000-sq. ft, $8 million seaside oasis boasting 18 private treatment rooms, a private spa pool, sauna, whirlpool, eucalyptus steam rooms, private lockers, health-oriented Spa Café, fitness center, yoga and Pilates classes and motion studio overlooking the ocean. Harbor Beach guests enjoy playing privileges at a selection of Fort Lauderdale private golf courses. The resort also offers 30,000 sq. ft. of flexible indoor meeting space, 22,500 sq. ft. of outdoor oceanfront terraces and 200,000 sq. ft. of sparkling beach for signature events. Located just 10 minutes from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, the resort offers guests the seclusion of a tropical resort, with all the exciting dining, shopping, entertainment and cultural options of the city at its doorstep. For more information, call (954) 766-6133 or visit http://marriott.com/hotels/travel/fllsb-harbor-beach-marriott-resort-and-spa/.

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*Six-night package includes all culinary instruction for one teen and ocean-view room accommodates a family of four. Tax, gratuities or service charges are not included. Candidates will be notified in advance for reservations.
**Based on availability; does not include tax, gratuities or service charge.

Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is a premier Fort Lauderdale beach hotel featuring 637 guest rooms, including 35 luxurious suites. The South Florida spa on the property, the Spa at Harbor Beach, is listed in “100 Best Spas of the World,” and is a 20,000-sq. ft, $8 million seaside oasis boasting 18 private treatment rooms, a private spa pool, sauna, whirlpool, eucalyptus steam rooms, yoga and Pilates classes and a motion studio overlooking the ocean. Harbor Beach guests enjoy playing privileges at a selection of Fort Lauderdale private golf courses. The resort also offers 30,000 sq. ft. of flexible indoor meeting space, 22,500 sq. ft. of outdoor oceanfront terraces and 200,000 sq. ft. of sparkling beach for signature events. Located just 10 minutes from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, the resort offers guests the seclusion of a tropical resort, with all the exciting dining, shopping, entertainment and cultural options of the city at its doorstep.

Britton Cordill
Senior Marketing & eCommerce Manager
South Florida Marriott Hotels & Resorts
954-384-0448 (Phone)
312-907-6093 (Cell Phone)
773-326-0626 (Fax)
britton.cordill@marriott.com

This release was published on openPR.