GETTING TO KNOW NICK BADOVINUS: AWARD WINNING DALLAS CHEF & RESTAURANTEUR

Interview with Chef Nick Badovinus

Originally from Washington State, Chef Nick Badovinus came to Dallas in 1996 for a six week internship with legendary chef Dean Fearing which ultimately morphed into a long-term position, launching his career here in Dallas. With his recent big win at Robb Report’s third annual “Culinary Masters” competition, we were interested to know what makes our Dallas Chef Badovinus tick.

Nick Badovinus

But first a little background on the competition itself. Five world-renowned chefs were asked to nominate a next-generation protégé to compete for the New Culinary Master of 2015 title. The chefs tasked with nominations included David Bouley, Pierre Gagnaire, Nancy Oakes, Wolfgang Puck, and Dean Fearing who nominated Nick. The other competitors, including Jean-Marc Boyer, Nicolas Delaroque, Josef Centeno, and Yoshiaki Takazawa, represented a range of culinary styles from classical and southern French as well as a Japanese infused aesthetic. The chefs were asked to prepare a five-course menu representative of their signature culinary aesthetic, creativity, and technical proficiency.

To create his menu, Nick employed big flavors that packed a punch. Big flavors are always in season, according to Nick. His menu included the following dishes: his take on Dean Fearing’s famous tortilla soup, chicken fried quail leg salad, a riff on shrimp and grits using scallops, Rosewood Wagyu tenderloin, and a butterscotch pot-de-crème. ……is your mouth watering yet or what! Check out RobbReport.com/CulinaryMasters for each chef’s full competition menu and recipes—as well as additional photos and videos.

So, who is Chef Nick Badovinus?

Favorite things about being a chef

Opportunity to share food and experiences with people; from sharing culinary creations with customers to sharing a great shift with the team and working towards a common goal. Food gives you an opportunity to live in the non-virtual world. There’s something fundamentally human about coming together around a shared-food experience. …opportunity to do your own thing, the freedom and independence along with responsibility.

Style/Philosophy of cooking

Acknowledging that there will always be room and appreciation for the “high wire acts”, he aims to create sincere food that is real and straight forward, fun and relatable.

Business of Restauranteuring

Although he is very passionate about his cooking, he is also very business minded, which has served him well in establishing and expanding his restaurant portfolio- Neighborhood Services, Offsite Kitchen, and his next big project-Town Hearth (expected to open Fall 2015). A second Offsite Kitchen in the Trinity Groves area will also be launched soon. Proud that all of his restaurants are self-financing, Chef relates that ensuring that everyone has a great time is key to success.

Dallas food trends

Oysters, straight-forward, real food, different rarified ingredients becoming more acceptable and approachable, demystification of the chef, return of simple, primal, rustic style-cooking; embracing hearth-style cooking a cooking style Nick will be embracing at his new restaurant, Town Hearth.

Dallas: a unique culinary scene

The regional cooking style is something that makes Dallas’s culinary scene so unique, as well as care for the customer. He notes that Dallas is one of the most hospitable cities in the country when it comes to the Food and Beverage industry. From a business stand-point, the city’s strong economy enables a marketplace that can afford and has a desire for fantastic food. Dallas is a city that rewards entrepreneurship and is a great place to build your career. In his opinion, there’s not a better place to be an independent restauranteur.

Town Hearth, the newest venture

Described as a culmination of his entire cooking career, starting in his teens. Now open in the Design District. We ate there recently and were impressed to say the least! Go, NOW!

Inspiration for Town Hearth’s Menu

Town Hearth is a culmination of his life: his passion for cooking, his Washington roots, and his time in Texas cultivating his craft. He describes the restaurant’s offerings as primal, rustic, premium, and simple. The menu will be source sensitive without being overly-so. The restaurant itself is approximately 6,000 square feet and will feature two big grills, one for proteins with hooves and one for fin fish and the likes. There will also be a wood burning oven in the middle with two openings on either side. Brandon Kelly, currently the wine director of Neighborhood Services, is curating an awesome wine list for Town Hearth, one which Nick considers will be the most thoughtful selection in town. The menu will feature a variety of seafood reflective of his childhood in Washington, like salmon and Dungeness crab. The dishes are reflective of his past. The menu is truly a celebration of a lifetime of cooking, things that he finds valuable and important to share with his customers.

Mountlake Cut also, now open, our favorite seafood restaurant in Dallas

Favorite thing to cook

A good roasted chicken with Herbs de Provence.

Finally, when asked about his relationship over the years with Dean Fearing, Nick considers him not only to be a very important professional mentor, but also a close friend.

Congratulations Chef Nick Badovinus and we look forward to the dining adventures you have in store for all of us!

Leave a Comment

2 Comments

  1. 1.26.17
    Elaine said:

    Googled “restaraunt on Montlake Cut”. Surprised to see Dallas, TX come up at the top.

    My first grade teacher was Mrs. Badovinus in Bellevue, WA. Any relation to Nick?

    • 1.26.17
      Emily Stafford said:

      Hi Elaine! Nice meeting you. Chef Nick is from the PNW and I believe lived in Tacoma. That would be such a small world if there’s a relation there and I’m willing to bet there is! He now has several fantastic restaurants in Dallas and Montlake Cut is our favorite place to eat seafood. We’re actually going to post a review on the restaurant on the blog next week!
      Best,
      Emily

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