Eric Vasta has been appointed Executive Chef at JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort
When Eric Vasta started working at his father's diner at the age of 14, he had no idea that it was the beginning of a journey that would take him around the world, and ultimately, land him a job as the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort's executive chef. Vasta was raised in New Jersey where his father owned a quaint, 19-seat diner. He started working there as a short order cook when he was 14, and his 10-year-old sister helped out as a waitress. Although it was obviously not a major culinary operation, it was enough to interest Vasta in the art of cooking, so he enrolled in a culinary trade school the following year. When he turned 18, Vasta enrolled in New York Restaurant School in New York City and began cooking at various establishments throughout the city. He eventually decided to transition into the hospitality industry and joined the culinary staff at Sofitel New York hotel; within three months, he was the sous chef.
