Chef Dave's
Career History
In
1968, I got my first restaurant job as a dishwasher. That's where
I first heard about the Culinary Institute of America (CIA). In
my second job I was fortunate to work for a graduate of the CIA.
What an experience! I watched and learned from him, and could
see firsthand the great happiness and satisfaction he experienced
in preparing a meal and getting an immediate response from his
patrons. That situation left a lasting impression on me. Throughout
high school I worked at various local restaurants, flipping burgers
and dropping shrimp baskets while daydreaming about attending
the CIA.
After
high school, I made my dream come true. I attended the CIA in
Hyde Park, NY, graduating in 1974. While at the CIA, I decided
it would be important for my career to immerse myself in all aspects
of food service operations. Over the next 18 years I worked for
a variety of food service organizations, including fine restaurants
in various hotels and resorts from Miami to Maine. My culinary
odyssey ended here in Houston, Texas in 1980.
I started
in Houston at Chez Eddy restaurant, where I met a cook who was
working a second job at Ouisie's on Sunset Blvd. I worked at Ouisie's
for six and a half years, until it closed in 1989. I have worked
at many fine restaurants since, including Sam's Cafe, Rao's Italian
Restaurant, Blue Water Grill, Sierra Grill, and finally, the
new Ouisie's Table in 1995. I had decided at that time that the
new Ouisie's Table would be my last restaurant job in Houston.
Eighteen months later I left.
For
two and a half years I worked for Euro-Mid, an import food distributing
company, as office manager, learning still another side of the
food service industry.
Several
years ago a friend asked me to go to his girlfriend's home and
teach her some things about cooking. We had a great time and,
ultimately, they had a great meal. So, here I am. After 31 years
in the culinary arena, I have discovered that my heart's real
desire is to teach cooking. There are so many people with beautiful
kitchens who don't use or enjoy them. I want to help change that!
See
you at the cutting board,
Chef Dave

Click
here to see the CNN video clip of Chef Dave at Sierra Grill
in 1991.
(1.5 MB Quicktime video)
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