Mobile
Take, for example, Martin Heller, Executive Chef and General Manager of LaVecchia's Seafood Grille. Heller begins every day with a bowl of cereal. "I usually mix two or three cereals together," he reveals. "That is definitely the chef coming out in me."
That's not exactly a recipe one would find in The Joy of Cooking, the cuisine book that Heller insists should be owned by everyone who is "an aspiring chef, in the cooking industry, or just likes to cook, because it has all the basics." Still, the cereal concoction is the first of many meals he prepares in a day.
Originally from Asheville, Heller's interest in the restaurant business began at 19 while working with his uncle. Because his uncle specifically focused on the layout and design of restaurants, Heller thought this may be the route for him, but he learned that his passion was in the kitchen, not at a desk.
"I went with him on one of his routes to all of the restaurants, and in the process of doing that, I came to the conclusion that I didn't like sitting down and doing the drafting," explains Heller. "But I wanted to do something with it. I saw the artistic part of the culinary field, and it seemed exciting. Plus, I knew I could move around from place to place."
Heller's conclusion led him to culinary school at Buncombe Community College in Asheville, where he spent the next three years honing his craft. During that time, he completed two internships, including in the Lake Toxaway area and The Market Place. After graduating from culinary school, Heller continued on at the Market Place for almost two years learning different aspects of the kitchen.
"I started out doing prep work for the night shift, helping with the vegetable station, appetizers, soups, on the grill and with desserts."
After feeling like he had learned all he could at The Market Place, Heller decided to take a position in Marietta, Georgia, at the fine dining establishment 1848 House.
"I worked my way through that restaurant the same way I had worked at the Market Place, until it got to the point where I didn't have anything else to do but be one of the sous chefs or the head chef. So I decided to go ahead and move on, because that wasn't going to happen there at the time."
Heller then moved back to Asheville and instead of going back into fine dining, opted this time for the management side of the business. Through a friend, he got into management training through the Outback Steakhouse Corporation and spent over the next two years managing and opening Outback Steakhouses and Carrabba's.
"In the corporate environment, the structure is a lot different. You have to be consistent and abide by the corporate manual, but it was a good experience. But as far as the food part of it, it wasn't quite as challenging."
Through this venture, Heller met Nick LaVecchia. "He caught wind that I had gone into culinary school, and at that time he knew that he was going to be opening up a restaurant in the future and said he would contact me."
About four years later, LaVecchia contacted Heller, who would eventually become the restaurant's executive chef.
Six years later, Heller's management skills coupled with his culinary talent have helped him be successful. And as advice to aspiring young chefs, he offers, "Mostly, I would say just always be open to suggestions, try not to burn any bridges, and learn something from everybody."
LaVecchia's Seafood Grille is at 225 E. 6th Street. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 5:30 to 10pm, and Friday and Saturday, 5:30 to 11pm. Closed Sunday. Phone: 704-370-6776.
Speaking of Cuisine_feature2.html
-
From Hot Dogs To Top Dog
Jun 15, 2005 -
Kitchen Cultures
May 18, 2005 -
Pressure Cooker
Apr 20, 2005 - More »
Latest in Food & Drink Features
More by Jana K. Nordstrand
-
Family Ties
Jun 29, 2005 -
From Hot Dogs To Top Dog
Jun 15, 2005 -
Rev Those Motors
Jun 1, 2005 - More »
Calendar
-
The Blush Brunch: R&B Day Party @ Blush CLT
- Sundays, 1-7 p.m. Continues through June 29
-
-
Hip Hop Bingo @ Blush CLT
- Sundays, 5-7 p.m. Continues through June 29
-
-
Rosé Wine Tasting at Little Mama’s Rea Farms @ Little Mama's Italian Kitchen Rea Farms
- Tue., June 17, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
-
-
Date Night: Wine & Hookah @ Blush CLT
- Fridays, 10 p.m.-12 a.m. Continues through June 20
-
-
Juneteenth: Queen City Adult Prom @ Blush CLT
- Fri., June 20, 10 p.m.-2 a.m.
-
-
Dish on this: Charlotte-based chefs join ACF Culinary Team USA 2016
As fall approaches, local chefs prepare for a culinary battle in Germany.
-
Hawaiian Plate Lunch spot opens 1
-
Buyer beware
What's in a name
