This guy's cooking his way to stardom

In 1994 when Andrew Zimmern of the Travel Channel's 'Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern' told me that he was going to be a celebrity chef none of us had much to compare that dream to. He was guiding the kitchen of Minneapolis's caf? Un Deux Trios to success.  Julia, Jacque, and Paul were well known in the culinary circles of celebrity and with the Food Network launching just a year earlier grill guys began coming to work with their hair combed. All the while, Wolfgang was taking the coast by storm with a new salad and everyone with a look, a style, and a recipe more tantalizing than Chicken and Biscuits had their eyes set on a studio with a stove.

I knew then that Zimmern would refine his talent – in person he is as personable, witty, and sparkling as he is on camera – and become the star that he is today. You can somehow tell and feel and realize who has the moves.

Two years ago when I first met Tony Ounpamornchai at Sea Thai Bistro , his now famous Wine Country destination restaurant I knew he had a talent. He possesses some of those same  moves and personality, albeit of a different ilk.  Along with the knowledge, flair and mannerisms of one who is focused on cooking on stage, Tony O has his vision set on fulfilling his dream of becoming a network well-known.

Last Monday evening, the master Thai chef taught his first cooking class at theSur La Table in Santa Rosa. According to the reviews the chef was a major hit. His class sold out and he is scheduled to return in late summer. Now one cooking class doesn't make a chef a celebrity. However, it does let the public see what it takes to be an artist and how one uses the plate as a canvass for culinary creativity.

When Zimmern left Un Deux Trios he began cooking classes at Cooks of Crocus Hill St. Paul, Minnesota.  The venue proved to be a giant step for a foodie with a floodlight vision. Getting out from behind a stove and guiding a group of students in the art of palate able presentation is a talent only a handful of chefs possess. Mix that with the ingredients of personality, charisma, charm and style and you have a package that not only would please a restaurant full of customers, but a room full of students and future viewers.

Tony O is a chef to watch.