Occupation:

Executive Sous Chef

Birthdate (mm/dd):

08/20

Place of Birth:

San Francisco, CA

Siblings Names?

One brother, Slade

Married?

Yes

Spouse name?

Tina

Children? If so, how many?

Not yet

What made you chose your present job?

Necessity.

What did you do before?

I have been cooking in restaurants since the age of 14. I started cooking in Oakland, California, and then later on moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Describe an experience in your present occupation that has affected you deeply in some way. Receiving a full scholarship to culinary school in high school.

Who/What had the most personal direct influence on your life?

I'd say the teachers at the vocational school that I went to during my high school career. They gave me a new experience and another road to take.

What is one of your most embarrassing moments?

Hmmm… I don't have an appropriate one for the public.

Is there anything you absolutely will not do?

Water skiing! I don't want to talk about it.

Do you have any tattoos?

After getting the scholarship, I got a cleaver tattoo with my name on it. I also got a Lion Tattoo at my back because I am a Leo. In addition, I have this two-headed snake on my arm to remind myself of the principle of yin and yang.

At present, what is the most important thing to you?

My wife, Tina.

What’s your favorite…

Food: Gumbo. Drink: Gin and Tonic
Book: "Soul of a Chef" by Michael Ruhlman
Music: Etta James!
Movie: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the old one!

If you could have dinner with anyone (alive or dead) who would that be and why?

I would like to have dinner with my Dad, because I want to talk to him more, which I rarely do.

What was your greatest triumph?

Surviving.

What was your greatest failure?

Bake shop. During my 1st week of bakeshop in culinary school, the teacher asked us to bake a cake. I made the worst cake with the worst decoration. When the teacher saw the disaster, the teacher asked the class to gather around my cake and said "we would expect more from a full-tuition scholarship student, right, class?"

What have you done that was considered "outstanding" in your chosen occupation by others in the same field?

Cooking in the James Beard house.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I would like to be a professional eater! Gotta love the free food!

If you could be anywhere in the world, where would you be?

Spain

What’s playing on your iPod?

Audioslave

If you could be a superhero, what super power would you want?

Invisibility

It’s time for a second career, what do you choose?

Competitive Eating

When your life story is made into a movie, who should they cast as you?

Vin Diesel

What’s the best book that you have read in the past year?

Alinea

What’s your hidden talent?

N/A

Who inspires you?

My father

If you could trade places with anyone (living or from history ) for a week, who would that person be?

Hugh Hefner

What is your favorite cause/charity?

March of Dimes

What do you do to stay healthy?

Workout in the gym

Occupation:

Chef De Cuisine

Birthdate (mm/dd):

08/20

Place of Birth:

Colorado Springs

Siblings Names?

One older sister, Danielle

Married?

Yes

Spouse name?

Julie

Children? If so, how many?

One, Benji, 2 weeks old

What made you chose your present job?

I got my first restaurant job at the age of 17. I have been in love with this industry ever since.

What did you do before?

I had done numerous random jobs from telemarketing to driving range pickers on driving ranges.

Describe an experience in your present occupation that has affected you deeply in some way.

One day, I ask one of the great chefs I worked with if I can get something to eat. He told me, "A hungry cook is a stupid cook". From that moment on, I know I will never be hungry working in the kitchen.

Who/What had the most personal direct influence on your life?

My Dad. My Dad has always showed me the award of hard work and great work ethics.

What is one of your most embarrassing moments?

Boy, I sure got a lot of them. This one time, I got so choked up when giving a speech at my friend's wedding, I was so embarrassed.

Is there anything you absolutely will not do?

Cook without a heart! To me, cooking is a passion; you have to take it above and beyond.

Do you have any tattoos?

A couple. I have a tribal band on my arm and a dream catcher on my shoulder blade.

At present, what is the most important thing to you?

My Family and my newborn son, Benji!

What’s your favorite…

Food: Foie Gras. Chef Brother Luck once made Foie Gras stuffed Figs for the James Beard function. It was amazing!
Drink:Black and Tan. You definitely get the best of both worlds with this drink. Book: "Kitchen Confidential" by Anthony Bourdain.
Music: I love everything; there is definitely a place and a time for every type of music, although I am not particularly a fan of techno.
Movie: The Big Lebowski

If you could have dinner with anyone (alive or dead) who would that be and why?

My Dad because I miss him.

What was your greatest triumph?

Marriage.

What was your greatest failure?

I would consider my first part of my school career to be a failure, but now, as I will soon to become a college graduate, I believe my failure has turned into success!

What have you done that was considered "outstanding" in your chosen occupation by others in the same field?

Developing my own style of cooking. I believe this is what makes other cooks respect me as a chef.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A recognized chef and a family man.

If you could be anywhere in the world, where would you be?

Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs watching the Avalanche take the trophy.

What’s playing on your iPod?

Reel Big Fish

If you could be a superhero, what super power would you want?

Ability to Fly

It’s time for a second career, what do you choose?

Competitive Journalism

When your life story is made into a movie, who should they cast as you?

Jon Favreau

What’s the best book that you have read in the past year?

What to expect when your expecting (for fathers to be)

What’s your hidden talent?

I think I inherited some of my dads writing creativity.

Who inspires you?

My family

If you could trade places with anyone (living or from history ) for a week, who would that person be?

Nostrodamas

What is your favorite cause/charity?

Angels Among Us. It’s an organization that a friend helped start after losing her little boy to cancer. It raises money for families with terminally ill children so that they can spend time with their kids without worrying about bills.

What do you do to stay healthy?

Hiking and snowboarding are my favorite healthy activities.

Occupation:

Executive Chef

Birthdate (mm/dd):

03/16

Place of Birth:

Mesa, Arizona

Siblings Names?

5 brothers. Bob, Dennis, Ron, Jim, Rick

Married?

Yes

Spouse name?

Abby

Children? If so, how many?

Son Jeffrey, Daughter Jenna

What made you chose your present job?

I started washing dishes early on at the age of 14. I have always looked up to the chefs in the kitchen; I then eventually worked my way up.

Describe an experience in your present occupation that has affected you deeply in some way.

Nothing really, just a chain of event that led me to my present position.

What did you do before?

Never done anything else much outside of the kitchen.

Who/What had the most personal direct influence on your life?

My father. He is a good man with strong moral and gave me the set of values that I have today.

What is one of your most embarrassing moments?

Told by the corporate executives that my cuisines are "rather traditional". That was the turning point of my career.

Is there anything you absolutely will not do?

There are a few. No cheating, lying and absolutely no sky-diving!

Do you have any tattoos?

Yes. I got the Arizona state flag tattoo on my right shoulder and a Yin & Yang symbol on my left shoulder.

At present, what is the most important thing to you?

Being a successful executive chef and a family leader.

What’s your favorite…

Food: Traditional French cuisine
Drink: I have given up on alcohol years before, I used to love Scotch, but now my favorite is coffee.
Book: "7 Laws for Success" by Deepak Chopra
Music: Rock & Rolls and the Blues!
Movie: The Godfather with The Monty Python and the Holy Grail coming in at a close second.

If you could have dinner with anyone (alive or dead) who would that be and why?

Bob Zapatelli. He was a good friend of mine who recently passed away. He is a friend who would really appreciate a good meal with a great pal.

What was your greatest triumph?

Hosting many large culinary events like Corporate Street Fair and the IACC corporate events.

What was your greatest failure?

Can't not satisfy this huge corporate client that was impossible to please.

What have you done that was considered "outstanding" in your chosen occupation by others in the same field?

I was an interim Executive Chef at a large, poorly staffed resort for 5 months. That job led me to my present position. In addition, being able to complete numerous large corporate events successfully.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Retired!

If you could be anywhere in the world, where would you be?

The Bahamas

What’s playing on your iPod?

Obscure blues artists like Jimmy Thackery, Bugs Henderson and Chris Duarte

If you could be a superhero, what super power would you want?

X-ray vision

It’s time for a second career, what do you choose?

I would open a cigar and coffee shop.

When your life story is made into a movie, who should they cast as you?

Marlin Brando

What’s the best book that you have read in the past year?

Seven Spiritual Laws Of Success by Deepok Chopra , I try to read it annually

What’s your hidden talent?

It must be deeply hidden, can’t think of anything

Who inspires you?

John Lennon (Imagine, no problems, only solutions)

If you could trade places with anyone (living or from history ) for a week, who would that person be?

John Lennon

What is your favorite cause/charity?

Marian House Soup Kitchen (it’s a food thing)

What do you do to stay healthy?

Constantly trying to lose 20 pounds