Nelson Millán, Executive Chef of San Antonio Country Club, went to some of France’s most iconic restaurants. He returned to club inspired and eager to apply what he learned.

Three club chefs share insights into how they incorporate seasonality into traditional banquet menus. Member service, especially in a la carte dining, is a top priority for club chefs. But banquets play an equally important role. They supplement lower-margin member dining and help to yield successful profit margins. Most banquet menus are not where creative,…

A culture of culinary creativity is allowed when trust and education are present. When deliberate, creativity can give rise to brilliance. When presumed, the results can be a total bomb. I recently read a magazine article hyping the trend of cooking with ash, in which vegetables are scorched into a black powder and used for…

Executive Chef Jeffrey Baker is driving a new culinary movement at The Clubs at Houston Oaks. When Jeffrey Baker, Executive Chef of The Clubs at Houston Oaks (Hockley, Texas), needs a minute to himself, he goes to the club’s garden. It’s quiet there, despite a soft buzzing from ten honeybee hives, and he is reminded…

According to Cody Middleton, newly appointed Pastry Chef of the Polo Club of Boca Raton, determining what pastry garnishes to purchase versus make comes down to savvy menu management. The value of a garnishing is significant to chefs both savory and sweet. Gone are the days of putting something on the plate just because. Today,…

The fall and winter holidays give clubs ample opportunity to celebrate their members as well as the seasons, with special events featuring traditional and creative foods. From festive themed family brunches and dinners to adults-only cocktail parties, spirit tastings and candlelight feasts, chefs are coming up with menus to persuade members to make their clubs…

According to Edward Leonard, CMC, Director of Culinary Operations and Executive Chef at The Polo Club of Boca Raton (Fla.), the greatest impact chefs can have is to be mentors and teachers to those around them. We hear the term “culinary education” routinely used to explain those embarking on a career in the craft of cookery.…

Inviting members to participate in one-of-a-kind dining experiences can not only give them greater appreciation for their club, but also for their chef. It used to be that a seat at the chef’s table was an exclusive and upscale affair. But in recent months, club chefs have taken the chef’s table concept to a whole…

The Union Club’s GM/COO, Lawrence McFadden, CMC, has found that the synergies between his favorite hobby and his career are making him a better leader. Can a hobby help make you a better leader?  I’ve been an avid cyclist since 2003 when I purchased a “real” bike following the Lance Armstrong excitement at that year’s…

It’s not someone’s gender that determines what role they play in the kitchen at Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. It’s their work ethic, ability and drive. The food coming out of clubs and restaurants is evolving. So are the chefs and kitchen environments we are creating in. With the long hours, late nights, and a high-stress work…

After more than 13 years as Executive Chef of an old-line, traditional golf club, Marshall Violante packed up his knives and moved to Chicago’s Saddle and Cycle Club to begin a whole new culinary adventure. As Executive Chef of Chicago’s Saddle and Cycle Club, Marshall Violante deeply values professional development and continuing education. He refuses…

Reliability is critical when it comes to a commercial refrigerator that must hold and store ingredients, leftovers, prepped sauces, and more. A commercial refrigerator is an investment, and hopefully a long-term one. That’s why it’s critical for club chefs to be equipped with the best knowledge for making the right purchase. Reliability is critical. Commercial refrigerators…

As Executive Chef Penelope Wong begins the process of leaving Glenmoor CC, she is spending her final weeks being transparent and offering as much opportunity to her team members as possible. The term “short-timer”, when used in reference to an employee, alludes to his or her mentality of being checked-out of daily responsibilities and abandoning…

Mizner CC’s $22 million renovation and expansion will add a number of new dining options and, according to GM/COO Larry Savvides, will be the key to the South Florida club’s success. In South Florida, the club business is fierce, and food-and-beverage programs are among the biggest differentiators between top properties. Mizner Country Club (Delray Beach,…