Lauren De Shields is a lifelong Florida native. She grew up in a Florida, food-centric family and even began her formal culinary education at Johnson & Wales University in North Miami. She cooked under Dean Max at 3030 Ocean for three years before heading out to California where she cooked at several award-winning restaurants.
We're glad she returned to South Florida, where, after spending a few more years working with Chef Max, she is now executive chef at Market 17 as well as number 13 on our Tastemaker countdown.
The most influential person in my career has been...
Honestly there are so many Chefs that have influenced me it's really hard to say. They have all given me new and different perspectives on food and cooking. Dean Max, Paula DaSilva, Jason Berthold, Rodney Wages, Josh Skenes & Dennis Lee. They have all molded me into who I am as a chef today!
When I'm alone and in need of comfort (and no one is there to watch or judge), the one food or drink I turn to is...
Gin cocktails and Sardines! Not together though.
What does the Broward/Palm Beach food scene need more of?
More family owned restaurants. I'm over all the big chain restaurants. Support local small businesses!
You get to vote one food or beverage trend off the island forever -- what is it?
Overrated steakhouses!
You have unlimited funds to open a restaurant or bar -- what's the name, and what do you serve?
Banger's! Badass comfort food with top quality local ingredients and awesome beer and cocktail list! With outdoor and indoor seating that is rustic casual. Rock N Roll all day!!
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Moving out west with my future wife and kids and running a farm. I'd like to try and live off the grid and live off the land! And maybe I'll even start a metal band!
Dream dinner party for six: Who (living or dead) are you inviting?
Nicko McBrian, Ozzy Osbourne, Charles Bukowski, Michael Jackson, Madonna, & Cosmo Kramer
New Times' Best Of Broward-Palm Beach 2013 issue arrives June 13. To celebrate, Clean Plate Charlie is serving up 30 of our favorite tastemakers -- restaurateurs, chefs, bartenders, and other foodies who make the South Florida food scene what it is. We'll start with number 30 and lead up to South Florida's number one. All previous 2013 Tastemakers are listed below.
30. Robyn Almodovar of Palate Party Food Truck
29. Chris and Jordan Bellus of Laser Wolf
28. Fulvio Sardelli of Sardelli's Italian Steakhouse
27. Brett Chiavari of BC Tacos
26. Mike Halker of Due South Brewing
25. Chrissy Benoit of the Little House Boynton Beach
24. Dean Max of DJM Restaurants
22. Vaughan Lazar of Kapow!
21. Eric Guerro, Mark Fee, and Jeff Evans of Angry Union Brewing
20. Ben Lubin of The Blind Monk
18. Julieta Bocos of Casa Frida
16. Frank Coniglio of E.R. Bradley's Saloon
15. Iliya Dimitrov of Valentino's Cucina Italiana
14 Tim Lipman of Coolinary Cafe
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