Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina Appoints Peter Birk as Executive Chef
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS - December 7, 2015 - Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, the first luxury resort development in the British Virgin Islands in more than 15 years and the first member of the Autograph Collection® in the Caribbean, has announced the appointment of Chef Peter Birk as the new executive chef. In his role, Birk will direct the culinary team and manage operations at the resort's four restaurant outlets - Caravela, Tierra! Tierra!, One Shoe Beach Bar & Grill and the Gourmet Market & Deli - and oversee banquets and events in the 2,100-square-foot ballroom and other venues around the island.
Birk comes to Scrub Island Resort from the BOKA Restaurant + Bar at Seattle's Hotel 1000, where he spent more than two years as executive chef at the AAA Four-Diamond hotel. He also helped open and served as executive chef at Harborside Restaurant, McCormick & Schmick's first chef-driven, farm-to-table property. Birk first made his mark in the Pacific Northwest at the iconic Ray's Boathouse, Cafe and Catering, where he spent 11 years as executive sous chef and finally executive chef. He most recently has consulted on a number of restaurants projects in Florida, New Mexico and Washington State.
“Chef Peter has thrived in the kitchens of top-rated hotels and James Beard award-winning restaurants alike, and fully supports our desire to maintain strong ties with local vendors, markets and non-profit organizations,” said James Miller, Scrub Island Resort managing director. “He's an outstanding choice to lead our team and elevate the culinary experience with an unwavering commitment to quality and guest service.”
Birk received his culinary degree from the Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon, but his real education began when he “was tall enough to push the bus cart” at his family's 300-seat restaurant housed in an historic building near Joplin, Missouri. Since then, Birk has worked professionally in the industry for nearly 40 years, landing his first job as executive chef in 1993.
For more information on Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina call toll free U.S. 877-890-7444 or visit ScrubIsland.com.
About Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, BVI
Opened in July 2010, Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina is named after its location, a serene 230-acre private-island haven situated at the east end of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. The first luxury resort development in the destination in more than 15 years and first member of Marriott's Autograph Collection in the Caribbean, the resort is tucked into a rugged cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and neighboring uninhabited islands. It features 52 guest accommodations as well as a collection of two-, three- and four-bedroom villas, the intimate Ixora Spa, world-class restaurants including the popular Caravela, three private beaches and a 55-slip marina. For more information, call toll free U.S. 813-849-4153 or visit scrubisland.com.
Contact:
Lauren Swoboda
Hayworth Public Relations
(386) 256-2583
About Mainsail Lodging and Development Group
Mainsail Lodging and Development is a Tampa-based hospitality company that develops and operates lodging products in the Southeastern US and the Caribbean. Their properties include Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina (ScrubIsland.com), a private island resort in the British Virgin Islands and member of Autograph Collection® of Marriott International; Mainsail Beach Inn (MainsailBeachInn.com), a boutique beachfront hotel and marina on Anna Maria Island, Florida; Mainsail Suites Hotel and Conference Center (MainsailTampa.com) in Tampa, Florida; Mainsail South, a 328-unit apartment and corporate housing complex in South Tampa; and Mainsail Apartment Homes, a 360-unit apartment community in Tampa's Westshore district. The company also operates corporate housing throughout the Southeast, exclusively managing the Florida market for Oakwood Worldwide® under both its ExecuStay® (ExecuStay.com) and Oakwood® (Oakwood.com) brands, while also operating ExecuStay (ExecuStay.com) in Georgia, portions of Alabama, and The Carolinas. Opened in December 2013 in Tampa, Florida, the boutique food-focused Epicurean Hotel (EpicureanHotel.com) was created in collaboration with the legendary Bern's Steak House and is the first newly constructed property in the United States to join the Autograph Collection®.
About Autograph Collection Hotels
The Autograph Collection is an evolving ensemble of strikingly independent hotels. Exactly like nothing else, each destination has been selected for its quality, bold originality, rich character and uncommon details. From near to far, iconic to historic, the result is an array of properties that is nothing less than unique, nothing short of collectively exceptional. For more information and reservations please visit www.autographhotels.com, or explore our social media channels to learn more about championing the independent spirit.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
