Franco Console - of Omars
Q. Chef, Where did you grow up?
A. Rogue valley
Q. Did you eat your veggies? ;-)
A. Yes always
Q. When did you know you wanted to be a chef?
A. I have always had a high respect and love for food and when i was about 16 years old i decided to make it into my career by taking weekend culinary classes and participating in high school food competions.
Q. Where were you trained and how difficult was your training?
A. Western Culinary Institute, quite extensive
Q. Favourite kitchen equipment or gadget?
A. Chinoise, or fine strainer.
Q. Best piece of advice you would give a home enthusiast?
A. Dont be intimadated. Remember, it's just food.
Q. Best cooking tip for a novice just getting into the business?
A. Never get discouraged; be patient and respect the industry and it will treat you well.
Q. Who in the food world do you most admire?
A. Thomas Keller.
Q. Favourite foods to cook with?
A. I look at all food with the same amount of respect and love, so i guess all of it.
Q. Do you have a favourite wine?
A. Pinot Noir.
Q. What do you like to eat when you’re at home?
A. Pasta with very simple tomato sauce.
Q. Are there any foods you just don't like?
A. No.
Q. Favourite cookbooks?
A. French Laundry, Bouchon, Joy of Cooking.
Q. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
A. Hopefully running my own co-op style restaurant.
Q. What is going to be the next big thing in the food world?
A. You can never tell!
Q. What do you do for fun?
A. Ride motorcycles, fish, and work out at the gym.
Q. Where is your favorite place in the world?
A. Calabria, Italy
Q. What do you most love about your job?
A. Being able to be creative and express that through food everyday.
Q. If you had just one wish, what would it be?
A. Im happy with the way things are going in life right now and would rather take the journey than make a wish.
We caught up with Franco right after he won the 2009 Chef's Showdown at the Ashland Food & Wine Classic, and asked him a few questions about his career.
