Years as a chef? 20
When did you first get interested in cooking and what sparked that interest? Watching Grandma cook
Mentor or person from whom you learned the most about cooking? My uncle
Your go-to cookbook? The French Laundry Cookbook
Favorite ingredients? Anything fresh
Favorite dish to make? Meats and fish — I love experimenting.
Favorite place to shop for ingredients? Farmers markets
Top tip for foodie home cooks or aspiring chefs? Enjoy yourself and experiment
Favorite west suburban restaurant, other than yours? Francesca's
Guilty pleasure you really enjoy? Portillo's
Your last meal would be? A Seafood Tower
Kitchen utensils you can't live without? Tongs and a 10" chef knife
If not a chef, what career would you have pursued? An architect
Downside, if any, of being a chef? Long hours
Hobbies when not cooking? Gardening
Do you ever watch cooking on TV or online? "Almazan Kitchen"
Who is the chef you most admire and why? Charlie Trotter, because of his passion for food
How often do you cook at home and what is your favorite dish to make there? Not as often as I would like, but when I do, anything Italian.
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