Bios

Brian Thomas

Brian Thomas began his culinary pilgrimage at the age of seven. Working in the church garden along side with his mother and sister, Brian developed a passion for fresh, organic, farm to table ingredients. At the age of 14, Brian stepped into the world of gastronomy and never looked back.

Brian’s first restaurant position was at the Old Covered Wagon Inn, Strafford Pennsylvania. It was converted into pub and inn, soon after it was the residence of George Washington when he commanded the solders at Valley Forge.

There, Brian discovered that this was the career path that he was destined for. At the age of 17, Brian took an apprentice position with celebrity Master chef, Tell Ehrhardt. Working along side Chef Tell, he developed working relationships with acclaimed chefs, Julia Childs, Jacques Papin, Alice Waters and Graham Kerr.

Three years later Brian enrolled and attended The Culinary Institute of America, in Hyde Park, New York. He completed his school externship at Opera Restaurant, in Santa Monica, California, and upon completion of culinary school, Brian moved to Alexandria VA to work alongside chef Alison Swope, at Santa Fe East Restaurant, and Jean Louis Pallidan at the Watergate Hotel.

Returning to Los Angeles in 1992, Chef Thomas worked for celebrity, John Sedlar, as well as becoming sous chef at Bikini, and Abique restaurant in Santa Monica.

A top catering chef for Ambrosia Catering in Santa Monica, CA, Chef Thomas cooked for many celebs and was retained to work as a personal chef for Robin Williams, Elizabeth Taylor, and Cher.

Through out the mid and late 90’s, Chef Thomas was the Executive chef and Sous chef of such restaurants as, the infamous Mezzaluna in Brentwood, Asylum in Beverly Hills, and Mi Piace in Pasadena.

Chef Thomas returned to Washington DC in 2001 where he honed his skills in the “front of the house” as a Matre d’ and sommelier for the Capital Grille and D.C. Coast Restaurants.

In 2004, Chef Thomas, Returned to Los Angeles and was the opening chef di cuisine of BOA Steakhouse in Santa Monica.

Chef Thomas joined the Patina restaurant group and worked as Chef de Cuisine for Nick and Steffs Steakhouse, owned and operated by celebrity chef Joachim Splichal.

Chef Thomas’ final position before joining the Rocker Bros Meat team, was chef de cuisine at the popular French Vietnamese Restaurant, Crustacean, in Beverly Hills.