PRIVATE CHEF 2016-present
Confidential Employer

CHEF DE CUISINE, 2011-2016
REDD

SOUS CHEF, 2010-2011
benu

CHEF DE PARTIE, 2008-2010
The French Laundry

SOUS CHEF, 2006-2008
Eleven Madison Park

COMMIS, 2005-2006
Alain Ducasse at the Essex House

I grew up the youngest of four boys near Detroit working in a family-owned and operated chocolate confectionery business. My parents had converted a farm-house into an upstart chocolate factory. I tempered fine chocolate, ran the register and cooked caramel for hours alongside my family daily. We slept on the floor while my parents worked long hours. Work ethic rubbed off on me quickly.

As my folks came on hard times, we moved – A lot. We all pitched in and at age 14 I took a job at a fine food market in Denver working under Certified Master Chef, Edward Janos. This exposure to gastronomy forever changed me. I came in hours before class to learn butchery and back after school to run the prepared food counter until close.

Four high schools later and at age 17, I moved to NYC and landed a job at Alain Ducasse at the Essex house where I got my first look at Michelin fine dining. Two years later I hooked up with Daniel Humm and his team at Eleven Madison Park. With Daniel’s tutelage and guidance, I took off to Yountville for a position at The French Laundry and later helped Corey Lee launch Benu as Sous Chef in San Francisco.

Looking for an opportunity to come into my own, I jumped back to Yountville to work with Richard Reddington at REDD. As Chef de Cuisine, I took the opportunity to manage people, a kitchen and my food. After 5-years at the helm of REDD, I took advantage of an opportunity to travel the world and explore cuisine from more perspectives. 

Most recently, I have taken my experience to work as a Private Chef in Silicon Valley and continue to focus on the future. I have been incredibly fortunate in that hard work, opportunity and the support of loved ones has allowed me to do what I love.  Food has always been my constant, the opportunity to share this love with others is a gift all its own.

Thanks for being a part of my story…