"We're always on the lookout for talent and experience, especially in the culinary realm, and Brett fits the bill on both counts, said Tom Manno, General Manager of Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa. "Chef Smith brings a fiery passion for cooking and quality ingredients, and our guests are going to be well served with him in charge of the kitchen."
With his focus on providing superior service through all aspects of the Sawgrass dining experience, Smith enjoys wowing guests with unique plate presentations and incredible flavors. He has a keen sense of seasonality and is a strong advocate of using only the best and freshest ingredients he can find. He further brings particular passion and quality to numerous game preparations, shellfish dishes, sauces and pastry presentations.
Smith fell hard for cooking when he was a 16-year-old working as an Assistant to the Executive Pastry Chef at the Indian River Plantation Resort and Marina in Stuart, Florida. His education began in the Sunshine State, where he graduated with a degree in Culinary Management from Palm Beach Community College. During that time, Smith played an intricate role in the opening of the City Club of the Palm Beaches. In 1995, he graduated with Honors from the Culinary Institute of America in New York. For his externship he hit the road, traveling to Tempe, Arizona, where he learned Eclectic Southwestern Cuisine at The Buttes, Top of The Rock. In 1996, Smith went even further, earning a Pastry Degree from the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone. During his time at C.I.A., he was part of the opening team at Brix Restaurant in Napa Valley.
Following graduation, Smith joined Interstate Hotels and Resorts, working at the Boca Raton Marriott as the Restaurant Chef for the 5150 Brasserie. He was later promoted to Sous Chef before transferring to Sawgrass where he was promoted to Banquet Chef.
In 2000, Smith became Executive Chef for the San Francisco Marriott Fisherman's Wharf. While in the Bay Area, he was pleased to serve as an Officer on the Board for the American Culinary Federation, Chef's Association of the Pacific Coast as well as the American Tasting Institute.
Chef Smith returned to Sawgrass as the Executive Chef de Cuisine in 2004. Following a short leave in 2011 to become Executive Chef with the Renaissance World Golf Village Resort, Convention Center and Beach Club, he returned to Sawgrass as Resort Executive Chef. Whatever the demands, Chef Smith excels in bringing new creative ideas, a positive outlook, and a passion for food to every endeavor.
"I fondly recall my previous time spent at Sawgrass and am happy to return to a terrific team and community," said Smith. "We are lucky to be located in a place ripe with great produce and seafood, and I'm eager to apply my personal touch to every aspect of the resort dining experience, while highlighting the incredible flavors of Northeast Florida."
About Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa
Located in Northeast Florida, the resort is an ideal getaway for leisure and family travel. With 510 guest rooms and 24 suites including 80 private villas, the resort offers 10 restaurants and lounge venues, over 56,000-square feet of event space and a 25,000-square foot spa. Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa allows guests and the public to access 8 championship golf courses and a private beach club. The resort is the host resort of THE PLAYERS golf championship. www.sawgrassmarriott.com
About Pyramid Resort Group
Pyramid Resort Group manages and asset manages a diverse portfolio of resorts in one of kind destinations across the United States and the Caribbean. These locations include Hawaii, Arizona, Florida and the Cayman Islands. Pyramid Resort Group delivers creative, engaging experiences for the leisure and group guest inclusive of golf, spa, fitness, dining, meetings, recreation, water sports, and cultural immersion. www.pyramidresortgroup.com