This is part two of my interview with Jeremy Pacheco, executive chef of Lon's and the Hermosa Inn. If you missed part one, where Pacheco dished about Nobuo, craft beer and Pig & Pickle, read it here.
Something always found in your kitchen: Kosher salt, good peppercorns, olive oil, and good balsamic.
Something always found in your fridge: Cheese.
You're relaxing on a night off. What are you drinking and eating?: After a long day/week of work, I love a great craft beer. My wife and I love to have wine-and-cheese night when we get time to ourselves -- a good Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot, a few different cheeses, some prosciutto, and we're all set.
And what are you listening to or watching?: I'm addicted to the Black Keys right now and usually try to catch up on some of the shows on my DVR. Very into Grimm.
Describe the menu at Lon's: Fresh, simple, flavorful, well-prepared, imaginative, and local whenever possible.
What's great about the American food scene right now?: The focus on local product, the explosion of farmer's markets and consumers starting to notice a difference in high quality, fresh product.
National/international chef you admire: There are many, but Daniel Boulud is at the top of the list. He's created a successful empire with so many different concepts, and look at how many successful and talented chefs have gone through his kitchens.
Where do you get inspiration for new dishes?: I'm inspired by what's in season from our local producers, reading cookbooks, and, as I mentioned, Art Culinaire helps with some ideas.
Advice you'd give an aspiring chef: Be patient. Your time will come. Nothing is handed to you in this business; you have to work for it and prove you deserve it.
Favorite thing to eat growing up: I ate a lot of fruit and still try to but don't as much as I should. Schnepf's Farm Peaches just came into season, and there's nothing like grabbing one of their peaches, taking a bite, and having the juices run down your arm.
Your guilty pleasure: Cheese.
Most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you as a chef: I remember one of my German chefs tearing into me in the kitchen as a junior sous chef and having one of our longtime cooks turn to me and say, "Don't cry, Pacheco, don't cry." Of course, I didn't, but that is something that always sticks out.
Name a culinary mentor and explain what you learned from this person: Peter Hoefler was the chef I spoke of above. He taught me a lot and really pushed me forward in my career. But you take something different from every chef you work with whether good or bad.
Local chef you admire and why: Very happy to see how well Justin Beckett is doing right now and am looking forward to his new place.
If you weren't a chef, what would you be?: A farmer. It's the family business.
Pet peeve in the kitchen: Not working clean, neat, and organized.
Pet peeve as a restaurant customer: Servers who don't know the menu or the dishes.
Name two local dishes you love to eat: Bone marrow and charcuterie at Pig & Pickle. Last meal on Earth: Osso bucco and polenta.
What should be written on your headstone?: Good Dad, Good Husband, Good Cook.
Enjoy this Chef Salad? Check out Nikki's previous interviews with:
Jacques Qualin of J&G Steakhouse
Matt Pool of Matt's Big Breakfast
Charlotte Voisey of Best American Brands Ambassador
Edward Farrow of The Cafe at MIM
Greg LaPrad of Quiessence & Morning Glory Cafe
Lester Gonzalez of Cowboy Ciao
Steven "Chops" Smith of Searsucker
Aaron Chamberlin of St. Francis
Michael Rusconi of Rusconi's American Kitchen
Chrysa Robertson of Rancho Pinot
Lynn Rossetto of The Splendid Table
Pete DeRuvo of Davanti Enoteca
Justin Beckett of Beckett's Table
Bryan Dooley of Bryan's Black Mountain Barbecue
Silvana Salcido Esparza of Barrio Cafe
Bernie Kantak of Citizen Public House
Johnny Chu of SoChu House Neo Asian + Martini Bar
Stephen Jones of Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails
Chris Gross of Christopher's Restaurant and Crush Lounge
Chris Curtiss of NoRTH Arcadia
Kevin Binkley of Binkley's Restaurant
Lori Hashimoto of Hana Japanese Eatery
Larry White, Jr. Lo-Lo's Fried Chicken & Waffles
Chris Bianco, Pizzeria Bianco, Bar Bianco, Pane Bianco and Trattoria Bianco
Matt Taylor, Market Street Kitchen
Kelly Fletcher, House of Tricks
