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Tribute to Chef Gary by Karen Stroud A classically trained Chef Gary knew at 25 that his passion lay in the artistry of food. After spending two years at a liberal arts college with no direction, he knew innately that it was not for him. So he left his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and headed to Providence, Rhode Island and put himself through culinary school at the prestigious Johnson & Wales University. When he was just out of school he took a job as a sous chef in a small French Bistro in Providence for which he felt ������ �������� ������������������������������ �� ������������ ������������ he met a man who had been the head chef at the White House under President John F. Kennedy. He talked his boss into hiring Gary, by offering to take a pay cut. The man was hired and that is where Chef Gary’s real education began. Years later he made his way down to Naples, an accomplished Chef at this time. He helped to open Bistro 821 and then spent the next ten years working for Culinary Concepts, a restaurant group which owns some of the best restaurants in Southwest Florida including Pazzo, Chops, and Yabba Island Grill. Today Chef Gary oversees the entire cuisine at the fabulous Vergina, restaurant on 5th Avenue specializing in Mediterranean Cuisine. Chef Gary loves to cook with fresh pressed extra-virgin olive oil and basil and the being culinarily creative ���������� ������������ ���������� ���� ������������ ���������� ������ ������������ were any Chefs who inspired him and he told me that he loves Anthony Bourdain, but lately it’s local Chef Ryan Milito at Yabba Island Grill, as the student, who has far surpassed his teacher which inspires him. If you happen to be strolling 5th Avenue be sure to stop into Vergina and try one of Gary’s superb culinary creations and tell him that Entrée Magazine sent you. *This is a special tribute to Chef Gary as the featured chef the second issue of Entrée Magazine. Atlantic Salmon, served over a Whipped Potato “Cake” Grouper Olandese: Fresh Florida Black Grouper with Blue Lump Crab On any given day, Chef Gary Minteer, Executive chef at Vergina, can be found strolling along 5th Avenue in Naples. It is his second home and he’s been strolling there since 1994. Chef Gary has culinary talent impressive enough to make any palate water.


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