The Hotel Zamora in St. Pete Beach, Florida Welcomes New Executive Chef, Alex Rodriguez

Brings a sustainable, local approach and Latin flair to St. Pete Beach's culinary scene

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. June 29, 2015

ST. PETE BEACH, FL. June 29, 2015 - St. Pete Beach's premier waterfront boutique hotel, The Hotel Zamora, welcomes new Executive Chef Alex Rodriguez to lead the culinary team at the award-winning Castile Restaurant, just in time for the grand opening of its 360° Rooftop Lounge.

A Puerto Rican native with a passion for supporting local, organic and sustainable products and growers, Rodriguez brings a wealth of experience to the table, having worked under the likes of celebrity chefs Geoffrey Zakarian, Bobby Flay, Jose Andres and Douglas Rodriguez. Most recently, Rodriguez helmed the kitchen at Constitution Cafe at the Federal Courthouse in Miami, and before that, Pondicherry and Restaurant 44 in New York City, The Savannah and The Spa at Grand Lake in Connecticut, and Columbus Museum of Art in Ohio. Rodriguez earned four stars while at the Bar of Modern Art in Ohio and was chef/owner of Luce Enoteca in Ohio, where he also earned four stars.

With extensive knowledge of Italian, Mediterranean, Caribbean and South American cuisines, Rodriguez is positioned to add a dash of international flair to Castile's Spanish-inspired menus, from the restaurant to event catering, room service and the soon-to-open 360° Rooftop Lounge, where fresh Gulf-inspired cuisine will be paired with panoramic views of the Intracoastal waterway, Gulf of Mexico and downtown St. Pete.

"I'm really looking forward to infusing the Spanish-influenced cuisine with my own new twist, including techniques like molecular gastronomy," said Chef Rodriguez. "I plan to draw inspiration from the people and places in my past while continuing to highlight our amazingly fresh, local seafood."

Additional plans include designing food and wine pairing menus in conjunction with newly appointed Food & Beverage Manager Angela Meeker, and even offering cooking classes for locals and guests alike. Named one of Tampa Bay Times' "Top 50 Restaurants" for 2015, Castile has become a favorite for its locally sourced, internationally inspired and seafood-driven menu and a creative selection of craft cocktails. With Rodriguez at the helm, the restaurant's bold flavors are positioned to rise to the next level.

The Hotel Zamora is managed by Marcus® Hotels & Resorts. For more information please visit www.thehotelzamora.com, and follow the property on Facebook and Twitter.

About The Hotel Zamora

As the first new hotel to grace St. Pete Beach in 20 years, The Hotel Zamora offers contemporary luxury, delectable cuisine and vibrant amenities influenced by the Zamora region in Spain. Castile, the hotel's destination restaurant and rooftop lounge, offers a seafood-driven menu that includes an eclectic selection of tapas, starters and creative entrees. Amenities include high-tech meeting space, a marina with space for seven boats, fresh-water pool, fitness center and access to the Gulf of Mexico's immaculate white-sand beach. The Hotel Zamora is managed by Marcus® Hotels & Resorts. For more information, please visit www.thehotelzamora.com, and follow the property on Facebook and Twitter.

About Marcus Hotels & Resorts

Marcus Hotels & Resorts, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), owns and/or manages 20 hotels, resorts and other properties in 11 states. A force in the hospitality industry, Marcus Hotels & Resorts provides expertise in management, development and historic renovations. The company's portfolio includes a wide variety of properties including city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts and branded first-class hotels. For more information on the latest news and updates, please visit: http://media.marcushotels.com, and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter.