Contacts: Julianne Carelli, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, (954) 327- 7504, julianne.carelli@seminolehardrock.com
Fran Folic, Bitner Goodman, (954) 730- 7730, ext. 117, fran@bitnergoodman.com
For Immediate Release
Four-Foot-Tall Hotel Towers Created from 200 Pounds of Gingerbread, 80 Pounds of Chocolate and Assorted Holiday Candy
HOLLYWOOD, Fla (December 16, 2008, 2008) - A replica of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino featuring its 12-story Mediterranean towers highlights this year's "South Florida Holidays Rock" gingerbread village display from December 19-January 2. The delicious display can be viewed for free, 24/7, at the hotel front desk nearest the bell hop stand.
This culinary creation showcases several recognizable locations throughout the Seminole Hard Rock including the 50' guitar near the porte cochere, magnificent pool area, Seminole Paradise, and the Seminole Paradise Lake.
In what has become an annual tradition at the hotel and casino, is a centerpiece of four-foot tall hotel towers made from gingerbread. It's surrounded by 200 pounds of gingerbread, 100 pounds of royal icing, and 80 pounds of chocolate and assorted holiday candy including licorice, candy canes, and mints.
Seasonal foliage including a Christmas tree and several other trees, marzipan--a confection made of almonds reduced to a paste with sugar-- figurines of hotel guests and reindeer are other special additions to the gingerbread village. There's even a toy train that will be encircling the Seminole Paradise Lake.
Executive Pastry Chef Jonathan Grotsky and the entire pastry department worked diligently on completing this confectioner's dream in 200 hours. Grotsky left no details undone. He encourages guests to pay attention to the unusual twists.
"Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino covered in snow? Don't be surprised if you see reindeer driving cars and Seminole Paradise Lake frozen with ice skaters." said Grotsky.
These are just a few of whimsical anomalies to South Florida during the winter featured in the gingerbread display. "I wanted to utilize my creativity while taking this display to the next level," said Grotsky.
The same care and attention to detail can be found in all of the pastry chef department's daily sweet treats found at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino restaurants such as Council Oak, Blue Plate, Chef's Table, Plum VIP Lounge, and the Constant Grind.
To create your own version of "South Florida Holidays Rock" Gingerbread Village, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino's Chef Grotsky graciously offers this recipe below:
Gingerbread Recipe
1/2 cup of milk
1 tsp of baking soda
2 tsp of ground ginger spice
1 tsp of salt
2oz of shortening
1/2 cup of molasses
6 oz of granulated sugar
1 whole egg
1 lb 2 oz of all-purpose flour
Directions: Place all ingredients except eggs and flour in mixing bowl with the paddle attachment. Mix on low for approximately 1 minute. Scrape the bowl. Mix on medium speed for approximately 5 minutes. Scrape the bowl again. Add eggs on low speed. Then, add flour and mix until combined. Place the dough in the refrigerator to chill. When ready, roll dough out to desired thickness. Cut dough into desired shapes. Place on baking sheet. Brush the dough with water and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake at 325F for approximately 20 minutes.
Royal Icing Recipe
3 oz pasteurized egg whites
1/8 tsp of cream of tarter
1 lb of confectioner's sugar (sifted)
Directions: Place egg whites in clean metal bowl. Add the cream of tarter and mix until whites become frothy. Gradually add the confectioner's sugar and continue to mix until the icing is thick and has a dull appearance. Transfer into a container and press a damp cloth directly on the surface of the icing. Cover with plastic film and store in refrigerator until ready to use.
About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is South Florida's only real casino and leading entertainment destination featuring 71 tables offering Blackjack, Baccarat, Mini-Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Three Card Poker, and Let it Ride. More than 2,300 of the most popular Vegas-style slots and games are available to play on its 145,000-square-foot casino floor including Multi-Area Progressive Jackpots and Mega Jackpots. The Poker Room at Seminole Paradise is a 12,000-square-foot private room offering no-limit Texas Hold ‘em, limit Texas Hold 'em, Seven Card Stud and two dollar and four dollar limit Omaha Hi Lo games. Our casino offers a non-smoking room and a high-limit gaming room with a cashier booth, check cashing services, and safe deposit boxes. The high-limit room also includes a VIP Plum Lounge exclusive area for loyal Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Players Club members and a celebrity show kitchen. This Four Diamond, AAA-rated, 500-room hotel offers 16 restaurants and lounges, 40,000 square-feet of meeting room space, a full-service, European-style spa, and 22 retail shops, 14 nightclubs, and Paradise Live - a 600 seat venue with classic music album performances in Seminole Paradise. Entertainment aficionados can enjoy national and international musical acts, comedic performances, and more in Hard Rock Live - a state-of-the art and acoustically-sound arena located on property. Lucky Street parking garage offers guests an additional 2,300 spaces for parking. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is located on State Road 7 (U.S. 441) in Hollywood, Florida. From I-95, exit Stirling Rd. and travel west to 1 Seminole Way. For more information, call (954) 327-ROCK, 1-800-937-0010 or visit us online at http://www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com/.
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