Sebastien Rondier, Executive Chef Brabo Brasserie 1600 King Street Old Town Alexandria 703-894-3440 BraboRestaurant.com Sebastien Rondier’s love of traditional French cuisine and the communal aspects of cooking were instilled in him throughout his childhood in Southwest France. The influence of his grandparents and his uncle, a chef who brought his expertise home, even making fresh […]

Masters of Cuisine Chef Oscar Ordonez LaTasca 607 King Street Old Town Alexandria 703-299-9810 Latascausa.com Chef Oscar presents the popular Spanish Gambas al Ajillo – Fresh prawns, fresh garlic, olive oil, dried Guindilla peppers & fresh parsley. Chef Oscar began his education in Honduras, assisting the Instituto Nacional de Formacion Profesional in his home town. […]

Chef Anthony Salvato Magnolia’s On King 703 King Street Old Town Alexandria 703-838-9090 Originally from Orlando, Florida, Chef Anthony Salvato moved to Augusta, Georgia at a young age. Growing up in a family where food brought everyone together, he developed a great passion for cooking. In 2008, Chef Anthony attended Le Cordon Bleu to study […]

Let’s Eat By Charles Oppman A Rite of Spring – Pasta Primavera Now that spring is in full swing we’re likely to see the seasonal springtime dish pasta primavera on Italian restaurant menus across America. It just makes sense―the word primavera means “spring” in Italian. But what is pasta primavera exactly, and what’s its culinary […]

Chef Darryl Bolling McLoone’s Pier House 141 National Plaza National Harbor 301-839-0815  Chef Darryl enjoys his succulent Rack of Lamb with mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. Chef Bolling was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. Before beginning his career as a banquet chef for Hyatt Hotels, he perfected his craft and graduated from Pennsylvania Culinary […]

Chef Lester Fields Murphy’s Irish Pub 713 King Street Old Town Alexandria 703-548-1717 murphyspub.com Main Photo Caption: Lester gets ready to enjoy some of his Traditional Irish Stew. When did you first become interested in cooking? When was in high school I worked at Manny’s Restaurant in Washington D.C. cleaning the kitchen area.  I thought that […]

Cavatelli with Veal Ragu – Handmade in-house cavatelli pasta tossed in a spicy veal ragu topped with cold ricotta Juan Amador Executive Chef La Trattoria 305 South Washington Street Old Town Alexandra 703-548-9338 Latrattoriaoldtown.com Chef Amador comes from a family of farmers who grew their own tomatoes and beans and also raised chickens. He has […]

  By Chester Simpson Chef Anthony Gitangu Old Hickory Steakhouse Gaylord National Resort National Harbor 301-965-4000 Gaylordnational.com Chef Anthony Gitangu moved to America from Kenya in 1996. In 2007, he graduated from L’Academie de Cuisine culinary school in Gaithersburg, MD. Gitangu then went to work and train at Vidalia restaurant in Washington, D.C. under chefs […]

By Chester Simpson Chef Amadou Quattara Bond 45 149 Waterfront Street National Harbor 301-839-1445 Bond45.com When did you first become interested in cooking and what made you choose a culinary career? When I was 15. I did a lot of cooking with my mother on the Ivory Coast of Africa. She is my inspiration. Who […]

By Chester Simpson Chef Jorge Chicas Hummingbird 220 South Union Street Old Town Alexandra 703.566.1355 hummingbirdva.net When did you first become interested in cooking and what made you choose a culinary career? As a young kid, I was a very picky eater and my grandmother always cooked something different for me. She taught be lots […]