Face it! You have thought about opening a restaurant at some point in your life. But did you back out because you didn't know how to do it? We know someone who does and does it really well.
 
Tom Douglas is a well known Seattle chef, restaurateur, and writer who won the 1994 James Beard Award for Best Northwest Chef.
 
Tom opened his first restaurant, Dahlia Lounge, in 1989. This was followed by Etta's Seafood and Palace Kitchen, and a Greek-inspired restaurant, Lola, as well as a pizzeria named Serious Pie, which now has two locations.  Most recent additions to the restaurant group are Serious Biscuit, Brave Horse Tavern, Cuoco, and Ting Momo.  Tom also has a retail bakery and catering and event space called Palace Ballroom. He and his wife and business partner Jackie live in Ballard.  Their daughter, Loretta is finishing up her last semester at Colgate University this spring.
 
Tom's additional claims to fame are defeating Masaharu Morimoto in an episode of Iron Chef America, hosting Seattle Kitchen on KIRO radio, and appearances on Martha Stewart and Mario Batali’s The Chew.  Tom feels strongly about his commitment to feeding people, and is heavily involved with Food Lifeline, which focuses on eradicating hunger in Washington state.

Tom has come to us to talk about his experiences in the restaurant business. Please join us to talk food and business!