Michael Garrett

I grew up in a small town along the Hudson River in Beacon New York, located about 60 miles north of New York City. Its most famous resident was the singer/songwriter Pete Seeger who would visit the elementary schools around the area often. My great grandfather Brown Garrett Sr. owned a family restaurant in that town. And growing up I would hear stories about the families restaurant and taxi stand. So being in kitchens is in my blood.

My first introduction to cooking was along side my grand mother and mother and I always had to peel the onions. I snapped peas and cleaned the collards in the sink. It was a my first prep cook job. The first time I ever saw a black chef was when I was around twelve, Patrick Clark was on an old PBS show called cooking with Master Chefs of America. I was mesmerized as he prepared a salmon roulade. I remember wanting to be a chef like him.