Movers & Shakers

JW Marriot Miami Names Sarnataro Director of Food & Beverage

2012-09-26T14:13:29Z

The JW Marriott Hotel Miami has appointed Alfredo Sarnataro as its new Director of Food and Beverage. Mr. Sarnataro will oversee all culinary operations, including direction of the ultra-exclusive Trapiche Room restaurant which seats only 20 and is celebrated as one of Miami's elite, top-tier dining destinations.

Sarnataro's new direction will include all of the hotel's restaurants, its bars, room service, the newly renovated Concierge Lounge, banquet areas, and all kitchen procedures.

An Italian citizen, Mr. Sarnataro holds certifications in food management, bar arts, event planning, wedding planning, green meetings and responsible vending. He is a member of Associazione Italiana Sommelier, and is certified by the Constellation Academy of Wine. The hotel was recently recognized by Wine Spectator Magazine with its sixth consecutive Award of Excellence.

Mr. Sarnataro first joined the Marriott brand in 2005 as Director of Restaurants and Bar at the JW Marriott Capri Tiberio Palace Resort & Spa, in Italy. He joined the JW Marriott Hotel Miami’s team in 2007 as the hotel’s Fine Dining Manager, and later as Director of Restaurants and Bars. In 2010, he became part of the pre-opening team at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami and Hotel Beaux Arts Miami as their Director of Dining Services, where he was instrumental throughout the opening process and the first year of operations.

Sarnataro’s areas of expertise include food and beverage staff training, purchasing, adhering to high service standards, and maximizing productivity. "We are delighted to announce that Alfredo Sarnataro has been named Director of Food and Beverage at the JW Marriott Hotel Miami,” said the hotel’s General Manager, Florencia Rotemberg. “Alfredo’s track record of success and his commitment to superior quality make him the ideal choice to lead our culinary team.”

Read more at www.marriott.com

Davis Joins Baystar AS VP Biz Development

2012-09-05T20:15:26Z

Michael Davis has joined BayStar Hotel Group as vice president of Business Development. Davis is relocating from Atlanta to Tampa and bringing more than 25 years of hotel development and franchise sales experience to his new position.

Davis’ responsibilities involve growing the Tampa-based hotel management and development company through management contracts and joint ventures with developers, lenders and private equity sources. Previously, Davis was director of franchise sales for Cendant Corporation/Wyndham Worldwide. With Cendant he prospected for qualified franchisees to develop and expand several Wyndham brands.

Davis started his hospitality career with Days Inns of America in 1985 and has developed new hotels, overseen renovations and managed conversion inspections for Bass/Holiday Inn Worldwide, the Bristol Hotel Company, Claris Services Corp. He was in franchise sales with La Quinta Corp.

Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau Appoints Carlos M. Molinet Senior Vice President

2012-08-30T16:03:23Z

Long serving member of FRLA, Carlos M. Molinet has been named Senior Vice President of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. In his new position, Molinet will report directly to Nicki E. Grossman, president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, and have oversight responsibilities for CVB operations, sales and marketing.

"Carlos M. Molinet, CHA, brings 25 years’ experience in hospitality, business and motivational management and leadership to the Convention & Visitors Bureau, including senior level positions with some of the country’s leading lodging brands including Starwood, Wyndham, Hyatt and Hilton hotels," said Nicki E. Grossman.

Molinet recently was General Manager of the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina; Director of Operations for LXR Resorts and Hotels Fort Lauderdale; and the General Manager of the Fort Lauderdale Grande. Previously, he was the Area General Manager for the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six and Bahia Mar Beach Resort.
Molinet has held leadership roles with FRLA as both a Past President of the FRLA Broward Chapter, and member of the FRLA Executive Committee.

Among his many industry awards and designations include Certified Hotel Administrator from the American Hotel & Lodging Association, HSMAI’s General Manager of the Year award in 2009 and the State Leadership Award from the AH & LA in recognition of his work with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

Viva Florida

2012-06-06T14:54:49Z

Pensacola Chefs Honor Florida’s 500 Year History at New York’s James Beard House

Left to Right: Frank Taylor (Global Grill), Dan Dunn (H20 at the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front), Gus Silivos (Skopelos/Nancy’s Haute Affairs), Jim Shirley (The Fish House) and Irv Miller (Jackson’s Steakhouse).

The Pensacola Celebrity Chefs showcased the area’s culinary offerings this earlier this Spring at New York’s acclaimed James Beard House during a dinner honoring Florida’s rich history. The culinary event not only brought together modern cuisine created from the Gulf Coast’s local bounty and nearly 500 years of Florida history, but also state and local dignitaries, such as Gov. Rick Scott and Mayor Ashton Hayward, and a handful of New York-based media.

Pensacola Celebrity Chefs Dan Dunn of H2O at the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front, Irv Miller of Jackson’s Steakhouse, Jim Shirley of the Fish House, Gus Silivos of Skopelos/Nancy’s Haute Affairs and Frank Taylor of Global Grill served more than 80 guests a menu of historical recipes that have been used in Florida for hundreds of years, modernized with their own artistic touch. The University of West Florida assisted the chefs in their historical research and prepared a culinary timeline over the last 500 years for the event.

“Florida has a rich and diverse culture unlike anywhere else in the world. This unique event promotes Florida as the premier tourist destination by highlighting Florida chefs, fresh Gulf seafood and cuisine that has been used in the Sunshine State for hundreds of years,” said Gov. Scott.

FDACS: Putnam Names Three New Division Directors

2012-06-06T14:46:27Z

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam recently named three division directors at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Susan Nardizzi becomes the director of the Division of Marketing and Development, Tiffiani Onifade becomes the director of the Division of Food Safety and Travis Tucker becomes the director of the Division of Fruit and Vegetables.

Putnam also announced other staff changes including naming Michael “MJ” Johnston to serve as chief information officer. Gloria Van Treese, who has served the past 14 years as the chief of the Bureau of Food Distribution, becomes assistant director in the Division of Marketing and Development. Lee Cornman, former acting director of the Division of Food Safety, becomes the assistant division director. Charles Beasley becomes assistant director of the Division of Fruit and Vegetables after having served as chief of the Bureau of Inspection.

First Quarter Navigator Small Business Award

2012-06-06T14:44:43Z

Paul Wohlford (left) Dave Trapanier (middle, award winner) and Beth Oltman, President of the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce.FRLA member Dave Trepanier, owner of Firefly Restaurant in Panama City Beach was recently honored with the First Quarter Navigator Small Business Award by the PCB Chamber of Commerce. Dave says he is proud to win the award and thrilled that the success of his restaurant has allowed him to contribute to so many worthwhile charities in his community. He also credits the PCB Chamber of Commerce as being a major part of the restaurant’s achievements.

Williams Receives Bronson Lane Award

2012-06-06T14:43:45Z

On May 10, the 2011 Bronson Lane Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Debra Williams during the Florida Association for Food Protection (FAFP) Annual Education Conference in Lake Buena Vista, Fl. Many FR&L readers may recognize Debra for the many contributions that she has made to the Industry over the years while at both the Florida Division of Hotels and Restaurants and the Florida Division of Food Safety.

The Bronson Lane Award is the highest honor given to an FAFP member. The winner must exhibit the highest level of knowledge, skill, commitment and dedication to the ideas of food safety during their service to Industry, Government or Academia. Debi’s 24+ years of service to protecting the food supply in Florida and your 10+ years as an active FAFP member made her an excellent choice for this award.

Spotlight on Don Potter: Pinnacle Hospitality Systems

2012-06-06T14:38:55Z

Don Potter of Pinnacle Hospitality Systems is known throughout the FRLA as one of the Allied Members that can always be counted on to help the Association in any way possible. Don and PHS are great believers in their relationship with FRLA. Currently, he is working with FRLA in a unique promotion: Pinnacle is offering a new membership in the Association to every new Pinnacle client. Don hopes every one of Pinnacle’s customers can realize the advantage of being an FRLA member.

Pinnacle Hospitality Systems was founded in 1989 by Don Potter and Stevan Barber, who both previously had worked for Siemens-Nixdorf throughout the 80’s.

When Nixdorf closed their Miami Lakes office, Don and Stevan opened Pinnacle to provide support to the Nixdorf customer base. Aggressively looking for new opportunities to expand their business, they turned to new business solutions. Their search led them to POSitouch, a restaurant “touchscreen” computerbased business solution being successfully sold in New England. POSitouch, securing the exclusive right to represent POSitouch in Florida.

Marco Rubio Named to Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World

2012-05-30T16:10:02Z

Florida’s U. S. Senator Marco Rubio was recently named to Time Magazine’s listing of The 100 Most Influential People In the World.

Former Governor Jeb Bush wrote about Senator Rubio:

“I knew there was something special about Marco Rubio when I first met him as a young Republican city commissioner. Bilingual and bicultural, he represents the best of the emerging second generation of Cuban immigrants. His ascendancy in politics has not surprised me or the people who know him. Rubio’s abiding faith in the promise of America is so compelling.

Today Senator Rubio, 40, is an eloquent voice for limited government, entrepreneurial capitalism and a robust foreign policy. Watching him operate in D.C. is refreshing as he continually seeks common ground with Democrats on issues like job growth and immigration without violating principle. Rubio is the real deal, and I for one look forward to watching him contribute to the rebuilding of our great country in the years to come.”

Dover Honored as FSU Dedman School of Hospitality Alumnus of the Year

2012-05-30T16:06:28Z

Annually, the Dedman School of Hospitality of Florida State University honors one of its graduates who has made notable contributions to the school, the industry and the nominee’s employer, and has served as a role model for students and alumni by his or her behavior and accomplishments, to be honored as Alumnus of the Year.

This year, Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) will be the recipient of this prestigious award. Dover has worked in the hospitality industry for more than 30 years and has lobbied for business-friendly laws that support the number-one job producer in the Sunshine State. Dover credits the education she received while attending FSU’s Dedman School of Hospitality as a major factor in her success. In 2004, Dover was also inducted into the Dedman School of Hospitality Hall of Fame.

The Dedman School of Hospitality boasts a nearly 100% job placement rate for its students within three months of graduation. This year, Dover, as Dedman’s Alumnus of the Year, plans to bring attention to the benefits of hospitality education through the Association’s Educational Foundation program. FRLA’s Educational Foundation trains more than 20,000 Florida high school students every year using the ProStart Culinary Education Program and the Lodging Management Program (LMP).

In addition to educating the public about programs like ProStart, LMP, and the Dedman School, Dover will continue to remind the public and lawmakers of the tremendous impact the hospitality industry has on the economy of our state.

The gala honoring Dover will be held at FSU’s University Center Club in Tallahassee on the evening of October 12, 2012.