BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS (December 3, 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, Café 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.
