What it’s like being a chef in Las Vegas?
Vegas is like a whole new city. Everyone’s realized that there’s a demand for good food here, but not a whole lot of chefs are here. The chefs that are here are taking some chances restaurant wise. There’s more high-end. There’s a different energy because it’s a smaller food community and it’s growing fast.
You described your new restaurant, Simon, as having an “indoor-outdoor organic feel, like me.”
I think that’s a good way to describe me. I consider myself to be very down to earth. I love hiking, rock climbing, snowboarding, skiing. I’m a desert boy now. There’s this place called Red Rocks that I like to go hiking. It’s a very peaceful place –I can go meditate, I have my privacy, I get away from things.
Simon has an open kitchen, so people are watching you cook. Is that intimidating?
I like the interaction of what I do. Some chefs they’re just in the back office and they’re never really exposed to the public I deal with on a daily basis: Do you like [the food] or not? For some chefs that’s very hard. They feel like their ego’s on the line. I know that people have very many tastes and I have to be able to meet those tastes
What are some of your signature items?
I would say the tuna tartare, especially the one with the lemon-grass oil. I love lobster with pasta with artichokes. It’s hard for me [to pick one] –I really like everything about food.
Do you think of food as a sensual item?
I think there is something sensual about food. Chocolate is very sexy. I think strawberries definitely are something that can be very sexy. Cherries –that 9 1/2 Weeks vision pops into my head. But it’s all about the people involved.
Has a woman ever cooked for you?
Everyone’s pretty intimidated. My aunt Margaret cooks for me.
Ever been the “naked chef?”
I’ve never done that.
ph: Wenn Rights
Do you have time for dating?
I’ve not had a day off, I can’t remember when. The restaurant alone has kept me on the run. From the moment you put your name on the door, everyone in the world comes out.
What would be your ideal date?
A midnight candlelight picnic on the beach in Cabo San Lucas.
What type of woman turns your head?
I like women who are very secure and comfortable with themselves, with who they are. Attraction is a thing that just happens within seconds and it’s just the connection that happens between people.
Is it hard for a woman to catch your attention?
No, I’m very public. You just have to ask for me…
… Keep reading on PLAYGIRL+
