Opening a Successful Restaurant in Tacoma with Chef Gordon Naccarato

March 25, 2015

Today we sat down with Chef Gordon Naccarato, a native Tacoma son who found fame in LA and Aspen and then returned to Tacoma to open several successful Tacoma restaurants with partners including Pacific Grill, Smoke + Cedar, and Shake Shake Shake. Gordon is food famous outside of Tacoma- in addition to being noted as one of the “10 best chefs” by Food & Wine Magazine for many years his restaurant, GORDON’S, in Aspen, Colorado, was considered the “Best Place to eat Between the Coasts.” (NY TIMES)

Gordon with Governor Jay Inslee at Smoke + Cedar

Gordon with Governor Jay Inslee at Smoke + Cedar

Gordon tells us his story of how he went from being a law student to line cook and eventually being a chef to the stars.  Gordon shares his insights into the challenges of opening and running a restaurant today- and what it takes to make a restaurant successful in Tacoma and beyond.

Show Notes:

Pacific Grill – Gordon’s first restaurant in Downtown Tacoma

Smoke + Cedar – Gordon’s newest restaurant at Allenmore Golf Course in Central Tacoma

Shake Shake Shake – Gordon’s brother’s restaurant

Gordon’s Awards:

“10 BEST NEW AMERICAN CHEFS OF THE YEAR,” Food & Wine Magazine
“TRAVEL HOLIDAY AWARD,” Great Chefs of Los Angeles
“Best Chefs of Los Angeles,” by City of Los Angeles Mayoral Proclamation
“Best Seafood Menu in the United States,” Seafood Leader Magazine
“Chef Stars 1987,” Rockefeller Center Tribute, New York City
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