My first restaurant work began in a modest inn in New Jersey, where my love for cooking and hospitality first took root. I then worked in San Francisco and San Diego. These years before school, working in country clubs and small restaurants, gave me my love of classic French cuisine. In 1980 I attended the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco.

In 1985, I took my first big leap at the Hotel del Coronado, evolving from Sous Chef to Executive Sous Chef over eleven years. There, I had the honor of orchestrating intimate and grand events for foreign dignitaries and heads of state.

In 1997, I was invited to lead the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa as Executive Chef and Director of Food and Beverage, a role I held for two decades. During this time, we earned Best New Restaurant in Monterey, The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, and the Forbes Four Star.

I am proud to have been an early voice advocating for farm-to-table dining and sustainable seafood, guided by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program.
At the Plaza I was also fortunate to work with and host many of the USA and world-class chefs each year.

In 2017, wanting a return to small restaurant service, we decided to take over Côte d’Azur in Naples, a neighborhood gem celebrated for its Riviera-style charm. The beauty of this restaurant is the guests who return year after year. Meeting and enjoying the company of those Côte d’Azur guests is the greatest compliment.

My vision has always been to preserve the restaurant’s timeless character while continuing to evolve with seasonal specials and locally sourced ingredients. I often say, “When ingredients are fresh, dishes don’t need to be reinvented,” and our menu reflects the beauty of simplicity in Southern French cooking.

Today, Côte d’Azur continues as a welcoming space for friends and guests who share a love for French and Mediterranean flavors. Whether it is an elegant Dover sole, duck, or prime filet prepared with time-honored technique, or the laughter of people gathered around a well-prepared meal, that is where my passion lies.

Please join us at Côte d’Azur, where dining is about more than food, it is about feeling at home.