Chefs

Chef Joel

In January of this year Chef Joel joined Xgroup Restaurants as the Executive Chef and now oversees, Masa and Asado - two wildly popular restaurants located on 6th Avenue in Tacoma. Chef Joel has taught “sold out” classes at Urban Gourmet and has returned by popular demand. Chef Joel attended Seattle Culinary Academy at Seattle Central Community College, and worked at several Seattle based restaurants including McCaw Hall (Home of Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet) and he even taught at the same skills center that gave him his start. In early 2004, he moved to Tacoma to be the Sous Chef at the Ruston Way Lobster Shop. In the fall of 2005 at age 23 he was hired as the Chef de Cuisine at CI Shenanigans in charge of a daily changing seasonal menu and a crew of 40. Today, he oversees two restaurants, Masa and Asado – Mexico meets Argentina, and displays a true mastery of skill and enthusiasm for his art.

Featured Chef: Troi Tiverivs

Chef Hope Sandler

Chef Sandler is a culinary educator, consultant, and cookbook author. An experienced professional chef and culinary industry authority, she teaches standing room only culinary education and wine appreciation courses throughout the United States and Canada. Formerly, she was director of The Seattle Culinary Arts School for Home Chefs, and the executive chef atSeattle’s own Sandler & Company Catering.

Her many classes, radio shows, books and freelance articles in popular publications continue to delight food enthusiasts nationwide. Her latest book is Contemporary Salads, The Art of Delectable Salad Composition. Chef Sandler is Urban Gourmet’s new Resident Chef.

Home

Cooking Classes

Spices & Teas

Wines

Events Room

Our Chefs

About Us

Chef Traci Garrett

Traci’s life revolves around food - all aspects of it -buying, cultivating, preparing, eating, teaching and…the best part… sharing it with her friends. She lived in the Italian countryside for 18 years learning and experiencing the essence of Italian cooking and life. You can find Traci at Marzano Italian Restaurant in Parkland where she enjoys creating fresh Italian dishes for your enjoyment. www.dinemarzano.com

Chef Surinder Pal Singh & Chef Chiranjiv Singh (CJ)

Two brothers both born in New Delhi, India. There father was in the Indian Foreign Service and they traveled extensively while growing up. They came to America to pursue higher education. During college they worked at different restaurants in the Tacoma area and this made them quickly realize they could open their own restaurant and serve real Indian food, instead of the Americanized versions that most restaurants served. After graduating from college, they opened Gateway to India, and it has been a wonderful journey. Surinder’s and CJ’s main emphasis is on authentic North Indian Cuisine. As the name states, when you walk through the arches of Gateway you are entering the real India www.gatewaytoindiarestaurant.com

Chef Jeffrey Bishop

He formally began his training at Baltimore International Culinary College in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1989. Prior to attending BICC, Jeff absorbed training for 7 years with respectable restaurants in La Jolla, California. After graduating culinary school, Jeff spent the next four years working oversees in some of the finest resort hotels in Guam, Thailand & Australia. While in Guam, Jeff was inducted into the prestigious culinary association La Chaine des Rotisseurs with the rank of Chef Rostisseur.

Following these inspiring and educational travels; Jeff moved to Seattle in 1993 and opened up North by Northwest Restaurant in Gig Harbor, Washington with Chef Michael Borassi, learning about local ingredients and meeting northwest farmers and foragers.

In 2004 Jeff opened Brix 25 Restaurant in Gig Harbor, Washington. Pulling double duty with two operations, he achieved a 5 star rating again from the TNT for his creative northwest cuisine. Jeff will open Merende’ in July 2008 with his partner Ian Lombardi. With the meaning of Merende’ being “small bites” it will have an extensive small plate selection for the guest. Merende’ will focus on seasonal cooking, sourcing local ingredients and products and creating incredible meals.

Chef Kris O'Leary

Kris introduced the Northwest to delectable concoctions and the most amazing chocolate artistry you’ve ever seen. She has been featured on “Northwest Afternoon” and Steve Poole’s “Frontrunners.” She is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy inSan Francisco. She completed her apprenticeship at Bittersweet in San Francisco prior to moving to Seattle. This bakergirl is currently putting together a Master Curriculum for our Baking/Pastry Class Series. While raising two spirited boys, Kris works at Metropolitan Market and has recently opened, bakergirl, a special order cakery focusing on custom cakes, cupcakes and other fabulous treats. You can reach bakergirl at 253.468.3699

Chef Matt

More information about Chef Matt and Maxwell's coming soon! Maxwell's is located in the Historic Walker Builind 454 St. Helens Ave. Tacoma. 253.683.4115

Chef Diane McWilliams

Diane’s love of food began at an early age in her family kitchen. She has a degree in culinary arts and owned her own catering business before working at Sofia’s Bistro and now Herban Café. Diane’s passion is reinventing classic dishes with new exciting flavors and textures. www.pinwheelcatering.com

Chef David and Linda

With over 40 years combined in the industry, David and Linda Dagley have a lifetime of food experience.

Chef David has worked in restaurants throughout the country. From Florida to Hawaii, Alaska to Las Vegas; he has had the opportunity to work in numerous environments serving many varieties of cuisine. Linda has worked since she was 15 years old as a server, bartender, general manager and food service director in restaurants, hotels, resorts and catering companies all over the Seattle and Tacoma areas as well as in California and Wyoming. Catering has always been her passion; she has a background in design and marketing and loves the creative aspect of coordinating events from start to finish. Chef David and Linda own and operate the popular Jonz Catering in Tacoma

Pinwheel Catering's

Herban Cafe

Chef Troi has wowed the Food Network with multiple appearances for his Apple Pecan Cajeta Pie, Christmas Chocolate Raspberry Yule Log, and Coconut Cream Pie. In competition he placed second in the 2005 Santa Fe Annual Dessert Competition with an entree of, “The Four Lovers” and was named best Pastry Chef during this same competition. Chef Troi gained much recognition while he continued to hone his skills at one of Sante Fe’s oldest restaurants even receiving Best Pie and Best Tres Leches in Sante Fe by the New Mexican. With over 20 years experience as both a Chef and Pastry Chef, Chef Troi brings a delightful & charming presence packed full of knowledge and unique experience... all of which clearly add to his cuisine! At Urban Gourmet we are pleased to present this accomplished Chef. Please check out Chef Troi’s debut classes. We hope you will join us.
Oct. 17 - Hardly, Poor Man’s Treasure , Nov. 14 - Healing Foods Menu , Nov. 17 - Cooking with TEA!

Chef Monique Barbeau

Always a special treat to have Chef Bareau teach at Urban Gourmet!
Now a part-time food consultant Chef Monique Barbeau still enjoys keeping her fingers in the culinary world. After graduating from the Culinary Institute in 1987 she honed her skills in New York’s finest restaurants, The Quilted Giraffe, Le Bernardin, and Chanterelle. After graduating from college with a Bachelor of Science degree she moved to Seattle to become the executive chef at Fullers restaurant and continued to develop her passion by creating regionally inspired and globally influenced food. In 1994 she received the James Beard Award Best Chef in the Northwest and Fullers was rated the top restaurant in Seattle by the readers of Gourmet Magazine. Furthermore, Monique was voted Best Chef by Seattle Magazine in 1995. Presently, Monique is consulting with Clover Park College Culinary Arts program as well as hosting cooking classes in and around the Seattle/Tacoma area. Monique lives in Lakewood with her husband Rod and her children Owen and Claire.