Johnson & Wales Media Center

Breakers Chef Kicks Off New Season of
Distinguished Visiting Chef Series at North Miami Campus

NORTH MIAMI, Fla. – Oct. 17, 2007 – Chef Jeff Simms understands far too well the art of preparing gourmet cuisine for high-volume events. On October 25-26, he will bring his skills to a more intimate setting as the first in the 2007-2008 Distinguished Visiting Chef series at Johnson & Wales University’s North Miami Campus.

simms On Oct. 26, Simms, executive chef of banquets for The Breakers Palm Beach, will be honored as a Distinguished Visiting Chef during a four-course public dinner that he will prepare alongside more than 30 culinary arts students. Simms’ visit will also include two classroom demonstrations on Oct. 25, where he will share the knowledge he has gained from working at some of the country’s most prestigious restaurants and hotels.

Proceeds from the dinner contribute to the Distinguished Visiting Chef Scholarship fund, which is awarded to an outstanding culinary student to contribute to his or her education at the university.

Oprah Davidson, a junior food service major from Clermont, Fla., was selected as the recipient of a $2,000 scholarship in Simms’ name.

reservations for dinner
The Distinguished Visiting Chef dinner featuring Jeff Simms will be held Friday, Oct. 26, 2007 at 7 p.m., at Johnson & Wales University’s North Miami Campus in the Robert M. Nograd Center for Bachelor’s Degree Studies. A 6 p.m. reception with hors d’oeuvres and wines will precede dinner. The dinner, which includes commentary from the chef, is open to the public at $85 per person, and includes wines with each course. To RSVP, call 305-913-2102

Simms’ menu will include Maine lobster tower, crisp romaine hearts with heirloom tomato Carpaccio, cracked pepper dusted Harris Ranch Prime New York Strip and braised beef shortribs and a tropical ice cream sundae.

about Jeff Simms
Jeff Simms is the executive chef of banquets at The Breakers Palm Beach, a legendary, AAA Five Diamond oceanfront resort. Simms oversees a team of 80 staff members to orchestrate all resort banquet operations and off-premise events, including food service at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. His outstanding banquet fare rivals that served in the finest restaurants in the country, yet he is able to deliver that quality to an average of 150,000 guests per month.

Before coming to The Breakers, Simms was the executive chef at Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. He has also garnered many culinary accolades, particularly for his expertise in preparing restaurant-quality cuisine in a banquet setting. He received the Culinary Excellence Award from La Chaine Des Rôtisseurs and the Outstanding Culinary Achievement Award from the American Academy of Chef.

In his free time, Simms donates his culinary artistry to the March of Dimes, Cancer Alliance and Chef and the Child Foundation. He is also a member of the American Culinary Federation and serves as apprentice chair of the ACF Palm County Chapter’s Board of Directors. He was recognized as ACF Palm Beach Member of the Year for 2005.

about the Distinguished Visiting Chef Series
The Distinguished Visiting Chef Series was established in 1979 at the Providence Campus to honor outstanding culinarians, and, at the same time, provide an expanding learning experience for culinary arts students at Johnson & Wales University. Previous visiting chefs to the Florida Campus include Norman Love, Michelle Bernstein, Allen Susser, Stanton Ho and Norman Van Aken

Johnson & Wales University, founded in 1914, is a nonprofit, private institution. A recognized leader in career education, we offer accredited degrees in business, hospitality, culinary arts, technology and education. With a diverse student body of more than 16,000 graduate and undergraduate students, representing all 50 states and 89 countries, JWU prepares students for personal and professional success by integrating rigorous academics and professional skills, community leadership opportunities and our unique career education model. The university is committed to urban revitalization and thoughtful historic renovation. Through active civic participation and by offering unique learning opportunities, JWU improves the quality of life in its campus communities in Providence, R.I., North Miami, Fla., Denver, Colo., and Charlotte, N.C. For more information visit www.jwu.edu.