© Chester Simpson.com
Chef Daniel Marteny serving at salmon en croute w/lobster sherry sauce.
T.J. Stone’s Grill House & Tap Room
608 Montgomery Street
Alexandria
703-548-1004
tjstones.com
When did you become interested in food and ultimately pursuing a culinary career?
I remember watching Justin Wilson growing up. My parents use to watch his show all the time. So, I guess I would say I became interested as a kid, but my passion really developed twelve years ago when I started watching Emeril on the Food Network. I started trying new foods, then trying to re-create them in a different way and put my own spin on them. I then decided to pursue a culinary career when my wife saw the passion I had for cooking and pushed me to follow my dream. By the grace of God, I was able to maintain a full time job and attend culinary school, which lead me to where I am now.
Who has been your biggest inspiration?
By far the biggest inspirations for my career have been my wife and my parents. Whenever I would question why I wanted to start a new career at such a late time in my life, they were always there to encourage me and remind me how much I love cooking. My dad would always tell me, “Not everyone gets to do something they love for a living, but you do.”
What are some qualities that a successful chef should have?
Passion, creativity and drive. Without those traits, it would just be a job, and anyone can do a job with the proper training. They also need to be able to multi-task, work under pressure, and work long hours - this is where being passionate helps. But most importantly, they need to remain humble.
What have been your greatest joys and stresses as a chef?
I generally enjoy cooking, but when a customer complements my food, that just makes it all worth it. I can’t ask for a more satisfying reward. I would have to say my greatest stress is finding enough time in the day to create the dishes I have bouncing around in my head.
If any chef in the world could prepare you a meal, who would that be?
Without a doubt it would be Gordon Ramsey. Not only do I admire him as a chef, but I admire his hard work and tenacity. To me, Gordon Ramsey is the definition of a passionate and successful chef.
What is your guilty food pleasure?
Cheese, cheese and cheese. I absolutely love cheese. It’s so simple yet versatile. It comes in different flavors and textures. I can change a dish just by adding different types of cheeses. For example, something as simple as changing the cheese on a burger or even in a pasta dish can make a big difference.
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