Culinary Epiphany #1. Robbie sipped a Red Stripe Beer (at 12 years old) and gorged on jerk chicken with his father outside Kingston, Jamaica.
Bolstered by an open mesquite fire on his family’s ranch in West Texas, Robbie enjoyed his first handmade tortilla from a timeworn comal. Culinary Epiphany #2.
Flipped his Toyota Land Cruiser in a Texas ice storm with 10 gallons of crab gumbo from the legendary Gaido's.
Traveled throughout France and landed a kitchen job with a pillar of French cooking.
Relocated to Aspen to work under mentor, James Beard Award Winner George Mahaffey.
Perfected the peeling of peas at that legendary Yountville restaurant.
Culinary Epiphany #3. Woke up to his first breakfast of char kway teow in Singapore (a traditional dish of stir-fried rice noodles with Chinese sausage), and never looked at breakfast the same.
Switched religions to The Church of Taco al Pastor, Mexico City. Culinary Epiphany #4.
Opted out of “little salads”-on-top-of-everything trend.
The acclaimed Nobu Matsuhisa at his eponymous restaurant.
Drank a ’78 Richebourg and ’61 Dom Perignon – a moment Robbie shall never consign to oblivion.
In October of that year, Robbie unknowingly met his future wife, Emily, through a very serendipitous encounter.
Quit Starbucks entirely.
Relocated to Nashville, TN, and fell in love with Arnold’s meat and three.
Headed west to Santa Barbara, CA, to become Chef/Partner of the historical Mattei’s Tavern and Inn at Mattei’s Tavern.
Welcomed Don Remley Wilson V, aka “Colt” Wilson, to the world on 5/31, Emily and Robbie’s first child.
Willingly brought his spirited concept BIRD DOG to Palo Alto, California.