What makes Christmas one of the most wonderful times of year? The sweets of course!
This month, Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa is preparing for the unveiling of executive pastry chef Brittani Szczecina’s impressive holiday decor. Last year, the talented chef and native Floridian created a 5-ft.-tall edible gingerbread house (that took more than 280 hours to complete). This year, she plans to outdo herself, transforming the resort’s entire lobby into an edible winter wonderland. And on Nov. 28 at 8 p.m, Szczecina will take her skills to the small screen for the Food Network’s Christmas Cookie Challenge, where she’ll compete with four other chefs for the title of holiday cookie master and a $10,000 prize.
“Being in control all of the time I had a hard time dealing with the unknown,” says Szczecina. “Not knowing what we were going to have to make, not knowing the layout of the kitchen, not knowing the judges, basically not knowing anything until the moment we walked onto the set. I wasn’t nervous in front of the cameras, I tried to tune out everything around me and focus on what I had to accomplish.”
Word is still out as to whether Szczecina will recreate some of the confections she makes during the challenge for hotel guests; however; they don’t have to wait until the holidays to delight in one of her confectionary works of art. “We like to consider everything that is made in the pastry kitchen edible works of art, but some of my favorites would be our welcome amenities, such as the chocolate coral reef, which is a chocolate coral reef airbrushed yellow, green and orange,” says Szczecina. “We then adhere assorted French macaroons to give the idea of fish that would be swimming around. Its garnished with edible seashells, edible sand and blue chocolate water.”
November rates start at $303 per night. For more information, visit marriott.com/hotels/travel/pbisg-palm-beach-marriott-singer-island-beach-resort-and-spa.
