We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Don Carr a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Don with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
As a life long worker, starting with jobs and chores at home from a very young age, to my first real job as a paper boy at 13, numerous roles in the food industry, throughout a 25 year career as a sales, marketing and branding executive working with high profile brands. Now, as the founder and Executive Chef at Inspired Dining Events, my work ethic comes from my passion and desire to demonstrate love to the people I am serving.
Necessity often demanded long hours and rigorous travel schedules, which kept me laser focused on the goal at hand. My love for my family has always been a major driver, but now, my kids are no longer kids and my passion for bringing people together to create lasting memories over fine food and drink fuels my work ethic in new ways that bring me joy fulfillment. So, today…it doesn’t feel like “work” which I am beyond grateful to be in this position.
My attitude and energy hopefully fuels my team and the people we serve, showing that when you have passion and love, work can be a true gift.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I have had a lifelong love of fine dining, where many of my best memories center around sharing food and drink with people that matter most to me.
As a private chef, I am able to carefully craft individual and unique menu selections across numerous courses, craft cocktails, local wine pairings and of course, we often end the evening with a fine spirit and the tastiest of desserts.
We source our produce, seafood and meats from local purveyors who are the best in class and care as much about quality as we do.
Let’s not forget the table or space where it all happens — these are specially designed in a festive, elegant or playful way — all intended to complement the guest’s experience.
A restaurateur at heart, with decades of experience, including time at the Portland Culinary Academy, restaurant owner and operator in Santa Barbara, a master barman with countless guests served at a variety of fine dining establishments — helped to shape me into the chef and host I am today. Our team pays careful attention to every detail and meticulously labor to exceed guests expectations…often surprising and delighting them.
I am blessed and humbled to work closely with a growing team of family members, skilled bakers and bartenders, event planners, talented musicians and professional photographers. They all bring a unique passion, skill and love to each and every experience.
It would be our pleasure and great joy to help envision your next special event, or if you have never tried the “home chef” experience, we would be thrilled to start the conversation.
Cheers!
Chef Don Carr
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Having been blessed with a mother who was a terrific cook, a family that dined together at incredible eateries and traveled extensively fostered not only my love for a wide variety of cuisines, but mostly, the feeling that comes with food and drink that is skillfully prepared, beautifully plated and shared around the table with people you love has grabbed my soul over the past 50 plus years of my life. I have learned to enjoy all foods and appreciate for what they are and what they are not. I enjoy a crispy french fry from McDonald’s (not very often) to the most exclusive caviar available and every food in between.
Having spent 15 years in the food service business, time at Culinary school and honing my skills as a home chef, I have found my voice and style in the kitchen, which for the past two years as the Executive Chef and Founder at Inspired Dining Events has continued to be refined and honed. Each morning, I wake with new visions and ideas how to make the fare I bring to our guests tables, excites and thrills me each and every day.
For other chefs or aspiring ones, my advice is simple. Do what brings you joy and satisfaction. Hone your craft by practice and surrounding yourself with people who share your passion, which will inspire, challenge and reflect your strengths along with areas you can enhance and improve upon.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
The Inspired Dining Events team have established partnerships with skilled and passionate people, all who have a heart for hospitality and service. From local wine makers, ranchers, farmers, bakers, oyster farms, caviar companies, DJ’s & musicians, photographers and more. We love to collaborate and can be reached via https://www.inspireddiningevents.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/inspired__dining/
Our team ranges from college age people to senior citizens (like me…yes, I get a discount at Denny’s). We are expanding and welcome the chance to start the conversation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.inspireddiningevents.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspired__dining/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrdon/
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/1c5v2Xextgo?si=cTw83A8EEMCYue0U
Image Credits
Robbie Bruzus
https://robbiebruzusphoto.pixieset.com/theashlanddinnerparty/ (feel free to use any of these images)
https://robbiebruzusphoto.pixieset.com/kelseybridalshowerwithinspireddining/theparty/
Madison Carr
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
