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2010 January |

BASIL CHEFS - Chef's Spotlight

Chef's Spotlight: Chef Jeffrey Saad

by Chrystal Baker

If you have ever wondered what you should do with that jar of whole allspice or fresh fennel seeds, then you should speak with Chef Jeffrey Saad. Most recently, he has been known as the Spice Smuggler--a name taken from his exclusive webisode series on Foodnetwork.com. Pork tenderloin with annatto, goat with turmeric, labm with cumin and coriander, bacon and smoked paprika, apricots and cracked white pepper--just a few recommended combinations from the mind of Chef Saad. His love for and career in the culinary arts have spanned over two decades with a short stint as a wildy successful Los Angeles realtor somewhere in the middle. His recent return to the food world was in response to his true calling.

At the very young age of 13, Jeffrey took a job at a diner in Chicago, and he knew he had found something he wanted to do forever. Fast forward a few years to his studies at Iowa State, the Culinary Institute of America in New York and the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco and a brief, yet intense stage in London with Chef Anton Mosimann, all of which created lasting foundations for his career. He returned to San Francisco in 1993 to open a chain of three Mexican restaurants, Sweet Heat. By 1998, it was time to sell and move on to larger ventures. He became a partner in a chain of Italian restaurants that span Southern California, Pasta Pomodoro. When the long hours of ownership began to keep him away from his family, Jeffrey made the decision to leave the partnership, so that he could focus on his family. He and his wife Nadia moved their family to Los Angeles where he earned his real estate license and racked up several years of profitable sales, but it wasn't enough. Jeffrey's passion for food far surpassed his passion for real estate, and it showed in his interactions with clients, family and friends. It was actually a friend who visited him for dinner and remarked that Jeffrey should be on television, the Food Network specifically, and that was it.

Jeffrey completed a submission for season five of The Next Food Network Star, and after the rounds of interviews and preliminary tapings, he made it onto the show. Although he was the runner-up of the show, his energy, enthusiasm, ease and comfort in front of the camera left a lasting impression on the show's viewers and the network executives. When Foodnetwork.com offered him a short series of webisodes based on his love of spices, the deal was signed. The webisodes and his personal blog, http://jeffreysaad.com/, have both served as a platform for Jeffrey to expound on his philosophies of "cooking without borders" and how easy it is to "eat globally and eat locally". As a Los Angeles-based chef, he admits that the vast nature of the city can make it difficult for people to explore the melting pot that is here, but he knows it is worth the effort. All it takes is a little energy to spark the fire and a bit of guidance from someone from the culture or in a different neighborhood, and it is much easier to find a new place to try or a new flavor to incorporate into a meal. Jeffrey also appreciates the rise of the home cook. It is a way for more people to embrace the way food fosters relationships and also encourages healthier eating. He encourages everyone to play with flavors, keep an open mind and remember that "cooking is what inspires you in the moment".

Increased exposure for Jeffrey has brought on a bigger audience and even more opportunities. He continues to support the Alexandria House, a transitional housing residence for women and children, and most recently, he has been named national spokesperson for the American Egg Farmers. In December 2009, Jeffrey opened for Guy Fieri's Road Show at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. He is writing and testing recipes for his first cookbook and promoting his webisode series on Foodnetwork.com. He will also be at the Charleston Food and Wine in March 2010 and Disney's California Food & Wine Festival in the spring of 2010. Other projects include pitching show ideas and perhaps a new restaurant very soon in Los Angeles. Jeffrey Saad's flavorful food represents his energy, vivacity, hunger for and appreciation of each and every day.

To find out more on Jeffrey Saad:
Website: http://jeffreysaad.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeffrey-Saad-chef/91981675928

Twitter: @jeffreysaad

Chrystal Baker
The Duo Dishes
http://duodishes.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Duo-Dishes/261651755583

Twitter: @theduodishes
Email: chrystal@duodishes.com