About Chef David Gilbert

Raised in Dallas, 31 year old Executive Chef David Gilbert credits his family with first inspiring his love for cooking – Gilbert’s grandfather owned a butcher shop and taught him to cook with simple seasonings and the freshest ingredients. Gilbert enrolled in the culinary arts program at Johnson and Wales University where he worked to master his technique. After graduating in 1997, Gilbert moved to Europe and landed a spot at the Michelin-starred

Restaurant Vermeer in Amsterdam with Edwin Katz. In 1999, Gilbert returned to the U.S. to further his techniques at The Ritz-Carlton in Buckhead, Atlanta where he worked under Atlanta mentor chefs Michael Ganley and Joel Antunes and sharpened his leadership skills. Within a year was promoted to head chef at The Ritz-Carlton in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. 

As Executive Sous at The Orient Express’ The Inn at Perry Cabin, Gilbert became known for initiating a fresh farmer’s market menu, which received national recognition. In 2000, Gilbert won a bronze medal for his cooking at the Chaine des Rotisseurs junior commis competition; in 2001 he took home the silver. Gilbert continued honing his skills in locales across the country before being named chef de cuisine at St. Louis’ Eau Bistro. After a year at Eau Bistro, Gilbert left Missouri for California, where he served as Executive Chef of The Beverly Hilton’s landmark restaurant. 

At Luqa, Gilbert entertained the diners with his interactive dishes that involve tableside activation of rosemary aromas, sucking mousses from tubes, and breaking a crème brulée caramel that hovers a few inches above its generally attached custard. What sets David apart from so many other chefs playing with their food is that each one of his dishes stands alone as a high-flavor, high-concept, sensual experience with pleasing the diner in mind rather than showing off. He elevates lowbrow ingredients like barley, onion and bacon in a tender, concentrated risotto with pink slices of squab, and he seeks out exotic products like kangaroo, which he pairs with pillows of potato gnocchi.

Gilbert was the proud recipient of the national 2007 Rising Star Chef award from Starchefs.com.

Dave is constantly searching the globe for new and exciting ingredients and techniques.  Keep up with Chef Gilbert’s exciting global travels on beyondthekitchen.com. Where will he pop up next?