Together the co-founders have implemented and led the casual dining segment by innovating and pioneering an evolution of high service and high quality product and by establishing an organization founded on a culture that keeps its people, the customer and the community a priority.
John Cooper | Trudy Cooper | Chris Arreola | Chris Ponte | Michelle Ponte
CHRIS PONTE
EXECUTIVE CHEF & PARTNER
began his culinary career of Clearwater's Pepper Mill Restaurant in 1991 after graduating from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. Due to the kindness of one of its patrons, Chef Ponte studied culinary arts in Paris at the Cordon Bleu, France's iconic culinary institute. Ponte achieved his degree at the top of his class and, upon graduation, was hired as an apprentice at the famed Taillevent, also in Paris.