Anticipation is swelling over the grand opening of the 349-room Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort on Hollywood, Florida’s, bustling boardwalk. We spoke to Tim Arnold, Director of Food and Beverage, about what awaits planners seeking to build dynamic food & beverage programs into their meetings and incentives.
Prevue: Can you name a culinary teambuilding programs that provides groups a true-to-locale experience?
Arnold: One great teambuilding activity we will offer at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort is the Jam Session “Peanut Butter Conspiracy,” dividing groups into smaller teams of 5-6 people and giving them the necessary ingredients to prepare as many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as possible in a 15 minute period. We provide guests with a variety of breads and jellies, including our very own Strawberry Margarita Jam and Key Lime Jelly.
Once completed, these will be individually wrapped and donated to a local food bank. The Jam Session is a great way for groups to go head-to-head in a unique way, giving back to the local community.
Have you noticed any new culinary trends emerge over the past year?
We have certainly recognized the trend of utilizing, fresh and locally sourced ingredients – including produce, meat and seafood. At the resort’s JWB Prime Steak and Seafood, an all-new restaurant concept for the brand, our culinary team will be incorporating a twist on the popular concept of “farm-to-table” with the restaurant’s “sea-to-table” component. Guests will enjoy made-to-order dishes prepared with spear-caught fish and seafood.
Another growing trend is the use of locally produced beer, wine and spirits and the incorporation of these into culinary cocktails as well as signature regional drinks. Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort’s eight diverse restaurant and bar concepts will feature a variety of fine spirits, world-class wines, authentic beers and hand-crafted cocktails for guests to choose from.
Can you recommend any “must try” dishes for an authentic destination experience?
At Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort, every menu will be inspired by Jimmy Buffett’s travels and experiences. Of course, there are many delicious dishes to choose from, but one of my favorites is Jimmy’s Jammin’ Jambalaya. With an authentic Creole taste, this dish is inspired by Jimmy’s time spent growing up in New Orleans.
Another “must-try” dish will be our Whole Roasted Jerk Snapper served with charred lemons, caper tater sauce and grilled flatbreads. This dish truly provides an authentic dining experience as the 15-pound snapper is skillfully prepared and served whole for guests to dive in!
What is the most important factor to consider when creating memorable food & beverage experiences?
We believe entertainment is one of the key ingredients in creating unforgettable food and beverage experiences. We not only take pride in providing our guests with exceptional cuisine, but also consider entertainment a vital factor in bringing the Margaritaville experience full circle.
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville and 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill will bring forth the brand’s already recognized daily live entertainment acts perfect for guests of all ages to enjoy.
