Since the inception of Café Max in 1986, Patti Max has been recognized for redefining restaurant design and concepts in Florida.  Her distinctive approach and instinct for incorporating the latest culinary fashions has revolutionized the way South Floridians experience dining. 

After receiving her MBA from the University of Miami, Patti began her career as an elementary school teacher then a professor at Bauder Fashion Institute in Miami.  Later she made the transition to the airline industry.  Traveling the world over as a young flight attendant with Eastern Airlines, Patti developed an international sense of style and unique ability to predict the next cutting edge trend in dining.  Whether it is through interior design or menu development, Patti has created an indelible mark on South Florida for over two decades. 

Starting with Mark Militello in the 1980’s Patti is credited for launching the careers of some of this country’s most talented chefs.  Along with her partner and former husband, Dennis Max, they have an over twenty year history of creating some of Florida’s most celebrated and award winning restaurants.  According to Dennis, “Patti is a great business person with a more sophisticated approach to food than my  own.”  It was Patti who worked closely with the first chef she hired to develop Florida’s version of New American Cuisine.  Her recipe for Caviar Pie won top honors from TravelHost Magazine. 

Patti is renowned for her tireless approach to the research and development of food and restaurant design trends.  When deciding to open their first restaurant in the early eighties, it was Patti that secured the financing; cultivated the design concept and even utilized her family to literally build-out Café Max into their partnership’s first successful restaurant.  Which defying the odds - still operates today.  In the late 1980’s, Unique Restaurant Concepts was developed to begin an expansion that lead to the creation of over 30 restaurants – most of which were successfully sold.

Currently, Max’s Grille is identified as a Boca Raton icon that continues to attract the positive attention of new customers. While maintaining Max’s Grille’s original integrity, Patti continues to be credited with keeping fresh the interior design and menu concept.  It is through this dedication that Max’s Grille has been able to sustain its loyal customers for nearly twenty years.