JOHN SCHENK
John Schenk brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership and culinary expertise as the executive chef of Strip House (New York City, Houston, Livingston, Naples, Key West, Puerto Rico, and Las Vegas) one of the country's top steakhouses.
As executive chef, Schenk joins Peter, Penny and Mathew Glazier, the owners of The Glazier Group, to supervise the busy kitchens of Strip House. In 1994, Schenk was chef at mad.61 at Barney's New York when he first met Peter and Penny Glazier.
Schenk's next step was to move into the role of executive chef of Strip House. "Steakhouses are the upper echelon of fine dining in most cities," says Schenk, "and with Strip House we bring a modern approach to that experience."Strip House offers an indulgent menu full of decadent dishes such as the signature truffled cream spinach, goose fat potatoes and a 24 layer chocolate cake. "I love doing a twist on steakhouse classics, and introducing new menu items to the restaurant. It's exciting to watch Strip House's popularity grow with each restaurant opening," Schenk says.
Born in Buffalo, New York, Schenk started his career in his family's kitchen, where he knew he wanted to be a chef. After working with Patty Unterman at San Francisco's Hayes Street Grill in the 1980's, Schenk moved to New York City by way of Kenya and France. In 1987, Schenk was hired by Alfred Portale of Gotham Bar and Grill as executive sous chef, a position he held for four years. Schenk credits his time at Gotham as the inspirational place from which his personal culinary view was nurtured, challenged and redefined. Schenk also helmed the kitchens at West Broadway where he received three stars from the New York Times and was chef/owner at Clementine in Greenwich Village.
Schenk has been featured on the Today Show, CBS Saturday Morning's "Chef on a Shoe String," FOX & Friends and was an original chef on the Food Network's "Ready, Set, Cook." Schenk has cooked numerous times at The James Beard House, as well as taught classes for "De Gustibus" at Macy's, Peter Kump's Cooking School, All Clad and Bloomingdales. Schenk continues to look for inspirational ingredients and flavors to keep Strip House cutting edge and classically delicious.
