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Rick's Open Road

RICK MOONEN

Chef
Rick Moonen Seafood

“Find your passion, because that's what you are going to be best at, that's what's going to make you kick the covers off in the morning, out of desire. ”

INTERESTS:

Food

THEMES DISCUSSED:

Confidence Desire Choices Fulfillment Exploration Family Support & Encouragement Experience Community Individualism Beliefs & Faith Fear

TAGS:

assistant, casual, community college, culinary institute of america, epiphany, Fears, fine dining, food, kitchen, Las Vegas, leader, liberal arts, middle child, New York, nursing home, public speaking, reinvent, seafood, self image, top chef

BIOGRAPHY:

Rick Moonen first fell in love with cooking after working in a nursing home kitchen. It was a turning point in Rick's life; after that he decided he wanted to reinvent himself by going to culinary school at the Culinary Institute of America in New York City. After finishing, Rick apprenticed at the L'Hostellerie Bressane where he built on his experience and confidence. From there, he continued his career as executive chef in some of New York's most iconic restaurants such as Chelsea Central, Le Relais, and Century Cafe. Rick also helped a notable Greek fish house restaurant, Oceana, gain national recognition through his culinary expertise. But after making his footprint in New York, Rick decided to create his own restaurant that focused on his passion for sustainable fishing and seafood. As chef and owner of rm Seafood, Rick has earned critical acclaim for his culinary skills. In 2005, he decided to bring a taste of his unique flavor to the Las Vegas scene where the Rick Moonen's rm Seafood restaurant now resides.