Dave Martin (chef)
Encyclopedia
Dave Martin is an American chef
from Long Beach
, California
who was a finalist in Top Chef (season 1)
. While on Top Chef, Martin won three elimination challenges and made it to the final three. On Bravo's Top Chef, he was noted for his intense layering of flavors and vivid descriptions of his dishes. Serving up approachable yet sophisticated takes on old classics, his signature dish is a Black Truffle Mac 'n' Cheese.
and earning a degree in English, Dave Martin went into the field of technology. When the technology market collapsed in 2000, Martin needed to find a new career. He attended culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu
in Pasadena
and was successful. He created his own catering company named As You Wish and traveled east to Manhattan
to explore wine and south to explore the crazy world of food.
About Dave
Chef Dave Martin gained notoriety as a Chef-testant and finalist on the first season of Bravo's Top Chef winning viewer’s hearts and palates with his intense layering of flavors and vivid descriptions of his dishes. Serving up approachable yet sophisticated takes on old classics, like his signature Black Truffle Mac ‘n’ Cheese, he has become a hit from the streets of NYC to the shores of St. Tropez. Years after his season ended, Dave finds himself and his food continually in the spotlight.
But Dave’s road into the culinary world was far from traditional. After leaving a successful career in the technology industry, Dave chose to pursue his real love and passion for cooking with the ultimate goal of making people smile through his food. Graduating with honors from Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena, California he formed his own catering company, “As You Wish Catering” and became the Executive Chef at XO Wine Bistro in Manhattan Beach, California. The first season of Top Chef debuted in 2006 and Dave quickly became a fan favorite winning more challenges than any other contestant (three in all). Finishing third, Dave moved to New York City soon after his appearance on the show and served as the Executive/Consulting Chef at Lola, Crave on 42nd, and VYNL restaurants introducing city diners to his creative take on comfort food classics.
After much success at each restaurant, he moved out of the kitchen and onto new culinary endeavors. In 2009 he self published and released his first cookbook, Flavor Quest, Volume 1 and due to popular demand followed with Flavor Quest, Volume 2 in 2010. That same year Dave began teaching classes in American Regional Cuisine at The French Culinary Institute and also to executives from large corporations such as MTV, Oracle and NBC at The Culinary Loft in Soho.
Earlier this year Dave created a line of Flavor Quest rubs and sauces (available for purchase at www.chefdavemartin.com) and is consulting on two projects in the city- a specialty sandwich shop featuring braised meats and The Frying Dutchman, a gourmet french fry food truck. Not surprisingly, The Frying Dutchman immediately gained a cult following as soon as it hit the streets mesmerizing french fry fanatics with Dave’s signature sauces such as prickly pear mustard, lychee and sweet chili aioli and pink guava ketchup!
In addition Dave travels around the country as a guest chef for various Food & Wine Festivals, winemaker dinners, consulting projects, auction dinners, corporate and private catering events, and pop-up restaurant appearances. Through these events he has built solid relationships with the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana), The Culinary Loft in Soho, The French Culinary Institute, Certified Angus Beef Brand, Cisco Systems, Perfect Puree and many more.
Firmly believing in giving back to the community, Dave supports several charitable organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, The American Heart Association, Ronald McDonald House (NYC), Leake & Watts, Greenwich House, Share our Strength (Taste of the Nation) and The Special Olympics.
Chef
A chef is a person who cooks professionally for other people. Although over time the term has come to describe any person who cooks for a living, traditionally it refers to a highly skilled professional who is proficient in all aspects of food preparation.-Etymology:The word "chef" is borrowed ...
from Long Beach
Long Beach
-United States:*Long Beach, California, most populous city with this name**Long Beach Airport**Long Beach Naval Shipyard**Long Beach Search & Rescue**Long Beach Unified School District**Port of Long Beach*Long Beach, Indiana*Long Beach, Minnesota...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
who was a finalist in Top Chef (season 1)
Top Chef (season 1)
Top Chef: San Francisco is the first season of American reality television series Top Chef and was based first in San Francisco, California, filmed at Paulding & Company, A Creative Kitchen, in Emeryville, and concluded in Las Vegas, Nevada. The season premiered on Bravo on March 8, 2006 and ended...
. While on Top Chef, Martin won three elimination challenges and made it to the final three. On Bravo's Top Chef, he was noted for his intense layering of flavors and vivid descriptions of his dishes. Serving up approachable yet sophisticated takes on old classics, his signature dish is a Black Truffle Mac 'n' Cheese.
Early Life, Career, and Education
After graduating from the University of RedlandsUniversity of Redlands
The University of Redlands is a private liberal arts and sciences university located in Redlands, California. The university's campus sits on near downtown Redlands. The university was founded in 1907 and was associated with the American Baptist Church. The land for the university was donated by...
and earning a degree in English, Dave Martin went into the field of technology. When the technology market collapsed in 2000, Martin needed to find a new career. He attended culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu
Le Cordon Bleu
Le Cordon Bleu is the world's largest hospitality education institution, with 35 schools on five continents serving 20,000 students annually. Its primary education focus is on hospitality management and the culinary arts...
in Pasadena
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
and was successful. He created his own catering company named As You Wish and traveled east to Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
to explore wine and south to explore the crazy world of food.
About Dave
Chef Dave Martin gained notoriety as a Chef-testant and finalist on the first season of Bravo's Top Chef winning viewer’s hearts and palates with his intense layering of flavors and vivid descriptions of his dishes. Serving up approachable yet sophisticated takes on old classics, like his signature Black Truffle Mac ‘n’ Cheese, he has become a hit from the streets of NYC to the shores of St. Tropez. Years after his season ended, Dave finds himself and his food continually in the spotlight.
But Dave’s road into the culinary world was far from traditional. After leaving a successful career in the technology industry, Dave chose to pursue his real love and passion for cooking with the ultimate goal of making people smile through his food. Graduating with honors from Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena, California he formed his own catering company, “As You Wish Catering” and became the Executive Chef at XO Wine Bistro in Manhattan Beach, California. The first season of Top Chef debuted in 2006 and Dave quickly became a fan favorite winning more challenges than any other contestant (three in all). Finishing third, Dave moved to New York City soon after his appearance on the show and served as the Executive/Consulting Chef at Lola, Crave on 42nd, and VYNL restaurants introducing city diners to his creative take on comfort food classics.
After much success at each restaurant, he moved out of the kitchen and onto new culinary endeavors. In 2009 he self published and released his first cookbook, Flavor Quest, Volume 1 and due to popular demand followed with Flavor Quest, Volume 2 in 2010. That same year Dave began teaching classes in American Regional Cuisine at The French Culinary Institute and also to executives from large corporations such as MTV, Oracle and NBC at The Culinary Loft in Soho.
Earlier this year Dave created a line of Flavor Quest rubs and sauces (available for purchase at www.chefdavemartin.com) and is consulting on two projects in the city- a specialty sandwich shop featuring braised meats and The Frying Dutchman, a gourmet french fry food truck. Not surprisingly, The Frying Dutchman immediately gained a cult following as soon as it hit the streets mesmerizing french fry fanatics with Dave’s signature sauces such as prickly pear mustard, lychee and sweet chili aioli and pink guava ketchup!
In addition Dave travels around the country as a guest chef for various Food & Wine Festivals, winemaker dinners, consulting projects, auction dinners, corporate and private catering events, and pop-up restaurant appearances. Through these events he has built solid relationships with the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana), The Culinary Loft in Soho, The French Culinary Institute, Certified Angus Beef Brand, Cisco Systems, Perfect Puree and many more.
Firmly believing in giving back to the community, Dave supports several charitable organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, The American Heart Association, Ronald McDonald House (NYC), Leake & Watts, Greenwich House, Share our Strength (Taste of the Nation) and The Special Olympics.
Top Chef and New York
The first season of Top Chef debuted in 2006 and Dave quickly became a fan favorite winning more challenges than any other contestant (three in all). Finishing third, Dave moved to New York City soon after his appearance on the show and served as the Executive/Consulting Chef at Lola, Crave on 42nd, and VYNL restaurants introducing city diners to his creative take on comfort food classics. After much success at each restaurant, he moved out of the kitchen and onto new culinary endeavors.Flavor Quest
In 2009 he self published and released his first cookbook, Flavor Quest, Volume 1 and due to popular demand followed with Flavor Quest, Volume 2 in 2010. Earlier this year Dave created a line of rubs and sauces, and is consulting on two projects in the city- a specialty sandwich shop featuring braised meats and The Frying Dutchman, a gourmet french fry food truck.Currently
In addition Dave travels around the country as a guest chef for various Food & Wine Festivals, winemaker dinners, consulting projects, auction dinners, corporate and private catering events, and pop-up restaurant appearances.External links
See also
- Top Chef (season 1)Top Chef (season 1)Top Chef: San Francisco is the first season of American reality television series Top Chef and was based first in San Francisco, California, filmed at Paulding & Company, A Creative Kitchen, in Emeryville, and concluded in Las Vegas, Nevada. The season premiered on Bravo on March 8, 2006 and ended...