With Chef Tom Pritchard at the Dali Museum
I had the pleasure to attend the Salvador Dali Museum‘s latest “Our Town” series of conversations with notable St. Pete residents (“mythmakers,” they’re referred to) with Chef Tom Pritchard. They call him a “local culinary rock star and stuff of legend.” If you’ve ever had the pleasure to visit with Tom, you know they’re right on. Most known as Executive Chef at Salt Rock Grill and Island Way Grill, Tom has varying levels of involvement in many, many other culinary ventures. He’s a fixture around town, and an absolute delight to swap stories with. He never runs out of them!
I’m thrilled that St. Pete has become a “foodie” town, with interesting new restaurants opening all the time to complement those that have made their lasting mark already. In addition to chefs who have developed locally (many who have enjoyed Tom’s mentorship), we’ve had several accomplished chefs move here recently to add to the culinary landscape. People ask me all the time what my favorite restaurant is, and I can’t answer – there are so many wonderful choices that it totally depends on my mood.
I asked Tom at the forum a similarly broad question – what’s the best thing he ever had, or would want to have if he could only have one thing. With no hesitation, a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye, he told us a story about a paella made in Mallorca, Spain – with fresh rabbit and baby octopus pulled right from the sea. Tom has lived all around the world and has rubbed elbows with some of the most interesting people you can think of, yet he chooses to call St. Petersburg home. I like that.
