RISING STAR CHEF MARCO FERRARO UNVEILS NEW MENU A large part of the success story at Wish has been its ongoing evolution in the kitchen. Celebrating ten years of excellence, the restaurant has called some of the country's top toques "chef," garnered accolades in Food & Wine and Esquire and consistent rave reviews for its cuisine and service. Currently at the helm is executive chef Marco Ferraro, a rising star talent whose unpretentious, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine perfectly blends comfort and sophistication. Born in Calabria, Italy, Ferraro describes his food as "fresh, seasonal, light and vibrant," a succinct and apt description but one that belies the depth of soul found in his cooking, which is rooted in contemporary American cuisine with eclectic global touches. Trained both overseas and in the kitchens of greats, such as icon Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Ferraro's food is ingredient oriented and technically complex without being overly conceptual. "You don't need an abundance of ingredients to make a dish work," says Ferraro, who took the helm at Wish in July 2008. "Simplicity has always worked best for me. With great technique, that casts a spotlight on the finest ingredients, you can't go wrong." Vibrant, creative and delicious, Ferraro's new menu is perfect for Wish's lush, romantic, one-of-a-kind dining environment. "In our ten years of operation, Wish has had great success in discovering creative new talents," concluded Jessica Goldman Srebnick, Managing Partner of Goldman Properties' hospitality division. "Chef Marco is definitely that." Owned and operated by Goldman Properties, Wish is the Mobil 4 Star, AAA Four Diamond, 160-seat restaurant at The Hotel, the Todd Oldham designed Art Deco gem located at 801 Collins Avenue, in the heart of South Beach. Open since November 1998, The Hotel and Wish is one of the first South Beach boutique properties to bask in the national media spotlight. To enhance the new menu and help commemorate the property's ten year anniversary, Oldham is refurbishing the beautiful Wish Garden, Spire Bar and the rooftop pool. Born in Italy and trained in France, Ferraro (29) is a graduate of the French Culinary Institute and Italcook. Working in France, he mastered classic French cooking at Le Mantel in Cannes and Le Muscandin, the acclaimed Michelin 2-star restaurant in Mougins. In 2002, Ferraro came to the United States to work and train with culinary icon Jean-Georges Vongerichten at the highly acclaimed Jean-Georges in New York City where he remained until 2004. Relocating to California, he took the position of chef de cuisine at the Mobil 4 star restaurant, Jack's La Jolla, a position he held from 2005-2008. Photography available upon request. Media contacts: Larry Carrino/Susan Brustman Brustman Carrino Public Relations larry@brustmancarrinopr.com (305) 573-0658