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Wednesday, June 25, 2003
A moment with ... Todd English, chef-entrepreneur
There are few dining hot spots that haven't been touched by chef-entrepreneur-cookbook author Todd English. The two-time James Beard Award winner who has 14 restaurants -- and counting -- to his credit. Most notable are the Olives and the Figs restaurants in such cities as Boston, New York, Las Vegas, Aspen, Washington, D.C., and Tokyo.
Seattle's brush with English fame is the newly opened Fish Club, in the Seattle Marriott Waterfront Hotel (across from Pier 66). The restaurant swims under the guidance of executive chef Chris Ainsworth, and features Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.
On the opening of Fish Club: I dream a lot. I set my role up to do that, (to be the dreamer). Seattle is one of the fish capitals of the world -- it's better than Boston. I knew I wanted a club, because I was infatuated with these old gastronomic societies that were (essentially) fish clubs.
On having 14 restaurants: It's totally crazy. But I like crazy. I love the energy and I'm challenged every day. Believe me, there's no complacency; we stare mediocrity in the face. I'm very fortunate to have the people that I do working for me. I'm devoted to my guys and I give them the opportunity to grow.
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On being an outsider: I like the fact that I'm the outsider and that no one knows who I am, because there are no expectations. Hopefully, customers will think of us as one of their own. I did Vegas that way and New York that way.
On his "hottie" reputation: I'm a modern guy. I like to take care of myself. But I don't do the facials and I don't do the Botox. (For the record, he said he never asked to be one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People and he's not sure what all the fuss is about -- and he's tired of everyone talking about how gorgeous he looks. Yet, if you visit www.toddenglish.com, the link to the photo gallery is quite prominent.)
More headlines and info from Belltown.
P-I food writer Hsiao-Ching Chou can be reached at 206-448-8117 or hsiaochingchou@seattlepi.com.
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