Broward chef opens Wild Olive in Boca; sweetens up Seminole Coconut Creek Casino

Over the holiday, BrowardNETOnline.com caught up with Todd English, an award-winning chef who is reaching tastebuds around the world. English, who owns da Compo Osteria in Fort Lauderdale, spearheaded a Sweet Dreams event over the holidays at Seminole Coconut Creek Casino. The event, which brought a large all-you-can-eat dessert spread to Nectar Lounge inside the casino, was a fundraiser for various local charities.

English has established one of the best-known restaurant brands in the nation, and has been recognized by several of the food industry’s most prestigious publications. English said he started getting into cooking in the 70s, when he was 16 and took a home economics class and the teacher opened a box of Dunkin Hines chocolate cake to make.

“My family never did that,” said English, adding his family made cakes from scratch. “I thought what are we doing this for?”

He went to a regular college, but left to take some time off and started cooking again.

“I was introduced to the Culinary Institute of America and the rest is history,” he says while smiling. “It’s a real craft and it brings people around the table—the kitchen is a gathering spot.

“I love great ingredients, food, family, friends—and great celebrations are always around meals,” added English, who has published three critically acclaimed cookbooks, and been featured on numerous television shows.

While English’s roots are in Italian—it’s always on the menu—he has traveled all over the world exploring other cuisines.

“I always think simpler is better—family style is the best way,” said English, adding he tries to stick to seasonal vegetables—currently Brussels sprouts, potatoes, root vegetables, beets. “I love pork shoulder.”

Most recently, Todd became the official chef of Delta Airlines, designing the menu for all domestic coach flights. His company, Todd English Enterprises, includes 20 innovative restaurants in the U.S. His flagship Olives restaurant in Charlestown, Mass. has expanded to include locations in New York and Las Vegas.

“I want to expand more what I do with children in school programs—I love working with the kids,” said English on the New Year goals. “I also want to keep pursuing and support sustainable agriculture—local farming.”

Todd English Enterprises also includes three Figs locations, Bonfire Steakhouse in Boston and New York City; Tuscany at Mohegan Sun; bluezoo at the Swan & Dolphin Resort in Orlando; Restaurant Todd English on the Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria; KingFish Hall in Boston’s Faneuil Hall Marketplace; da Campo Osteria in Fort Lauderdale, and Beso, in Hollywood, Calif.

Most recently, English opened Wild Olives in the Boca Raton Town Center as well.

“It’s a new generation of Olive—a modern Mediterranean interpretation that will be open for lunch and dinner with entrees under $30,” said English.

Coming up next at the Seminole Coconut Creek Casino is a month of laughs with G. David Howard on Jan 7, John Rathbone on Jan. 14, Al Romero on Jan. 21 and Ron Feingold on Jan. 28. Look for a story coming after the New Year on this bunch!

Related posts:

1. Sweet Dreams begins tonight at Seminole Coconut Creek Casino
2. Sylvia Browne will return to Seminole Casino Coconut Creek for two appearances
3. Rock group Big Head Todd and the Monsters to perform at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek Oct. 10
4. A month of comedy at Seminole Coconut Creek Casino
5. Professional Roller Derby Bout Coming Jan. 30 to Seminole Casino Coconut Creek

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