Stories | What the Chef Eats
Buttercup Squash Nectar with Spiced Rum, Açai Berries, Fromage Blanc
Published Oct. 28, 2009
By Chef Bernard Guillas, executive chef, the Marine Room My grandmother was the root of this madness I would say, this passion for food. I lived with her in Brittany until I was six and she ...
Thai Grilled Steak Salad
Published Oct. 14, 2009
By Jack Jaroen, executive chef, Lanna Thai I grew up in Bangkok with three siblings. My mom was always in the kitchen preparing and cooking for us. At dinnertime, we all helped out in the kitchen ...
Green Papaya and Mango Seafood Salad
Published Oct. 7, 2009
By Gerald Warner, executive sushi chef, Café Japengo Cooking is a family thing for me. We live in a cul de sac, so sometimes the neighbors come over, too. A lot of times, I cook on ...
Gluten-Free Corn Bread Published Sept. 30, 2009
By David Warner, executive chef, JRDN Restaurant I always wanted to be a rock star. Cooking was the last thing on my list. As a ... More Post a comment
Quick Chicken Tostadas Published Sept. 2, 2009
Recipe by Chris Walsh, executive chef, Bite Back in the ’80s, when I was executive chef at California Cuisine, cooking went through this really exciting ... More Post a comment
Jamaican Jerk Chicken Published Aug. 26, 2009
Recipe from Jason Knibb, executive chef, Nine-Ten Restaurant I got into cooking because I used to surf in the day and needed a night job. ... More Post a comment
Café India’s Famous Potatoes Published Aug. 5, 2009
Honestly, I grew up in the restaurant. We’ve had it since I was little, when my parents came to San Diego from Uttar Pradesh to ... More Post a comment
Tomato, Basil, and Ginger Jam Published July 29, 2009
By Jay Payne, executive chef, Café Japengo. What really started me cooking was that both my parents worked, so my job was to start dinner. ... More Post a comment
Shrimp and Sweet Pea Risotto Published July 1, 2009
by Paul McCabe, executive chef, Kitchen 1540. I grew up in a family where my mom didn’t work out of the home. She was a ... More Post a comment
Belgian Endive Soup Published June 10, 2009
...with Hoegaarden beer. By Nathan Coulon, executive chef, Quarter Kitchen. I started cooking before I can remember. My grandparents owned the Belgian Lion in Ocean ... More Post a comment
Spiny Lobster with Chanterelles Published May 13, 2009
By Mark Kropczynski, executive chef, Grant Grill. My kids (aged 15 and 9) will eat whatever I put in front of them. They’ve had duck ... More Comments (9)
Sashimi with Watermelon “Margarita” Published May 6, 2009
By Christopher Lee, Consulting chef, Suite & Tender. The thing about food that people don’t realize is that we’re all involved with it — either ... More Comment (1)
Curried Pea Soup Published April 22, 2009
By John Robert Kennedy, executive chef, The Better Half. I started cooking growing up. At big family gatherings, I was always in the kitchen. When ... More Comments (3)
Fish Tacos with Street Fruit Published April 1, 2009
By Dean Thomas, executive chef, Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino. I started out as a dishwasher for an Italian chef. One day, his cook ... More Post a comment
Tabouleh Published March 18, 2009
By Sahar Nashashibi, chef, Fairouz (story told by daughter Haya). My mom has always had a feel for cooking, even when she was young. Her ... More Post a comment
Amy’s Grandmother’s Gnocchi Published March 11, 2009
By Amy Dibiase, executive chef, Roseville I have been cooking since a very young age. A lot of pasta and gnocchi. Soups and stews. I ... More Post a comment
Juniper Berry Brined Pork Chops Published Feb. 18, 2009
By Danny Bannister, executive chef, Red Marlin. I’ve been a chef my whole life. It’s always been inside me. My mom hates it, but I ... More Post a comment
Basic Risotto Published Feb. 4, 2009
By Jeff Rossman, executive chef, Terra. I learned to cook on the job. My dad opened up Pam Pam Café and Grill in Hotel Circle, ... More Post a comment
Linguine with Sea Urchins Published Jan. 14, 2009
by Gordon Smith, private chef and former owner/chef, Gordon’s Basil St. Cafe. I’ve always been a chef in San Diego for San Diego. In the ... More Post a comment
Braised Chicken... Published Jan. 7, 2009
...with Green Olives and Roasted Peppers. By Victor Jimenez, executive chef, Cowboy Star. The idea for Cowboy Star came from my partner Jon. When he ... More Post a comment
Weekend Beer Bread Published Dec. 17, 2008
By Benjamin Moore, executive chef, Parallel 33. I like to take everyday food and pair it in unique ways people wouldn’t think of. I taste ... More Post a comment
Soba Noodle Salad Published Dec. 3, 2008
By Jim Pearson, Sous Chef, Rice I love Asian food. All types, especially Thai, such as seafood and pho. I love spice. Growing up in ... More Post a comment
Gingerbread House Published Nov. 12, 2008
By Marguerite Grifka, the Starlite. I have always been an avid home cook. I would characterize my food philosophy as using the best, freshest ingredients ... More Post a comment
Seafood Brodo Published Nov. 5, 2008
By Joe Magnanelli, executive chef, Laurel Restaurant. I’m a self-taught cook. I never went to culinary school, even though I worked at some very established ... More Post a comment
Roast Chicken Published Oct. 8, 2008
By Brian Malarkey, Oceanaire Restaurant. I became a chef after a lot of trial and error with other professions. The culinary major came after the ... More Comment (1)
“Not So Red” Velvet Cake Published Oct. 1, 2008
By Matt Gordon, Urban Solace. I got into cooking as a way of self-defense growing up. I worked in restaurants in high school and stayed ... More Post a comment
Pesto Lasagna Published Sept. 10, 2008
By Ryan Johnston, executive chef, Whisknladle. Basil Pesto Ingredients: Serves 4–6 10 1/2 oz blanched fresh basil2 oz mortared peeled garlic5 oz grated Parmesan cheese3 ... More Post a comment
Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets Published Sept. 3, 2008
By Martin Gonzalez, executive chef, Acqua Al 2. I really like to cook — at home or at a friend’s house. Even when I’m invited ... More Post a comment
Chile Verde Published Aug. 13, 2008
By Hanis Cavin, Chef de Cuisine, Kensington Grill. I work a lot, usually about 75 hours a week. During “Restaurant Week” I broke 100, so ... More Post a comment
Pasta Sauce with Sausage Published Aug. 6, 2008
By Matt Gardner, owner of Bronx Pizza, Hillcrest. Every Sunday is pasta day, so that’s probably my favorite thing to make. I make my traditional ... More Post a comment
Parkhouse Benedict Published July 9, 2008
by Gilberto Villareal, Chef, Parkhouse Eatery. I like cooking meat with crazy sauces. Sometimes rib-eyes. Sometimes ribs or pork tenderloins with pomegranate balsamic vinaigrette. But ... More Post a comment
Chocolate Mousse Published July 2, 2008
By Paul Niles, executive chef, Thee Bungalow. I have appreciated cooking all of my life. When I was growing up, we sat down and had ... More Post a comment
Spring Vegetable Pasta with Butter and Parmesan Nage Published June 18, 2008
Trey Foshee, executive chef, George’s at the Cove I cook at home just like everyone else cooks at home — I look in the fridge ... More Post a comment
White Asparagus Soup Published June 4, 2008
By Stéphane Voitzwinkler, executive chef, Bertrand at Mister A’s I am from Alsace-Lorraine, which is east of Paris, so I am a country boy. I ... More Post a comment
Oysters Rockefeller Published May 22, 2008
By Deborah Scott, executive chef at Island Prime, Kemo Sabe, and Indigo Grill. I’m from the South, so I love ribs and side dishes like ... More Post a comment
Halibut with Herb Hash Published May 9, 2008
By Christian Graves, executive chef, JSix Restaurant. I like to cook whole things — chickens, ducks, fish. Whatever the boys will eat. If my kids ... More Post a comment
Abbey’s Barbecued Pinto Beans Published Jan. 6, 2005
By Athena Shlemon, Owner/Chef, Abbey's Real Texas Bar-B-Q — Mira Mesa I'm a rice person. Rice and beans are my favorite things to eat. I ... More Post a comment
Cilantro Tuna Published Dec. 30, 2004
By Enoc Guajales, Kitchen Manager, Onami Japanese Restaurant, Escondido This is my own recipe that I created for the restaurant. It can be served as ... More Post a comment
Orrecchiette Alla Barese Published Dec. 23, 2004
This is a typical southern Italian dish served in the winter, and it's one that I personally like. The sausage with the broccoli is common ... More Post a comment
Jambalaya Published Dec. 16, 2004
I chose to share this recipe because it's a good meal for winter weather, and it's simple. It's a quick meal. You can make it ... More Post a comment
Smiling Jack’s Chicken Tortilla Soup Published Dec. 9, 2004
Chicken tortilla soup is an excellent idea for an entrée or side dish, especially for the holidays. It's hearty enough to be a meal. I'm ... More Post a comment
José’s Spicy Chinese Black Bean Sauce Published Dec. 2, 2004
This is an awesome sauce that can be served over scallops or shrimp and linguine. We just used it at a big function at the ... More Post a comment
Penne a la Vodka Published Nov. 24, 2004
We created this recipe here in the restaurant a long time ago and it is our most popular dish. We get calls from people who ... More Post a comment
