DAVID DRAKE
David Drake is the Chef-Owner of Restaurant David Drake
in Rahway as well as executive chef and co-owner of Daryl wine bar and
restaurant in New brunswick, New Jersey. He has over twenty five years
of experience in the hospitality field. He not only operates his restaurant
but is a consultant to other operators as well. His experience as an
owner-chef gives him the unique ability to trouble shoot other establishments.
Mr. Drake first became fascinated by the restaurant business while working
as a dishwasher at the famous Chez Odette in New Hope, Pennsylvania
at the age of seventeen. He recalls learning quickly that organization
and hard work were keys to success. Eventually, his interest in the
kitchen lured him from a career in film production and communications.
Born in Summit, New Jersey, David has spent much of his time working
to elevate the standards of fine dining in New Jersey. Early on as the
food revolution erupted, Mr. Drake became widely recognized for his
culinary contributions as executive chef at the Frog and the Peach in
New Brunswick. Other valuable work experiences included time spent in
the kitchens of Restaurant Taquet (chef Jean Francois Taquet) in Philadelphia,
The River Café (chef David Burke) in Brooklyn, the Ryland Inn (chef
Craig Shelton) in Whitehouse, 14 Wall Street, New York City where he
was the executive chef and for nine years as executive chef and owner
of the Stage House Inn.ne as One of the Top 10 Country Restaurants in
America.
He has invested time traveling to France, Italy, Switzerland and Germany
to enhance his knowledge and inspire his vegetable driven evolutional
cuisine. He is widely considered one of the top chefs in New Jersey
by both the general public and his peers alike. A "chef's chef," he
sets the standard through his simple, yet elegant cooking style and
expert use of the highest quality ingredients. Under his training, the
chef's protéges have advanced to positions in noteworthy kitchens such
as Jean Georges, Lespinasse, Daniel, Bouley, Le Cirque, Town, Sumile,
Le Bernadin, Eleven Madison Park and Juliet (Brooklyn).
Mr. Drake has three children; Emily who is twelve, Griffin is eight
and Julian is three. He and his wife Liliana reside in Summit, New Jersey.