In my first article, I gave a recipe for the perfect holiday prime rib. However, I realized, I haven’t told you very much about my background. I’d like to share more about myself, my cooking experience and how I became a chef at the Pickwick.
My name is Dustin Tomasetti, but the whole world calls me “Specks,” which is a nickname I was given when I was six years old because I wore large glasses. I am 25 years old, I am from Chisholm, Minnesota and graduated from high school there in 2006. I moved from Da Range to Duluth in 2008.
I’ve been cooking for as long as I can remember. I started watching cooking shows when I was five years old with my father, who was a chef for 20 years. I started working in the restaurant business early in my teens, and I worked my way up from dishwasher to line cook when I was 16. I learned a lot from my first chef, Rob Russo, at Valentini’s Supper Club in Chisholm. After graduating from high school, I contemplated going to school to become a chef, but I decided to try something else. Meanwhile, I never stopped cooking, and I was always working to refine my skills. I usually say, “I’ve trained to become a chef at the School of Hard Knocks.” As much as I value culinary school, I think doing your own research and testing recipes can be equally as valuable. I can cook a wide variety of foods from around the world, but I have the most experience in Italian and Americana.
While cooking at the Pickwick for two and a half years, I feel I have really grown as a chef, and I’ve learned a lot. Working here can be a lot of pressure because of the restaurant’s rich history and lasting legacy, but that is actually the reason I love coming into work every day. I strive to preserve the Pickwick’s well-known history, while at the same time, I take opportunities to bring our food offerings to new levels.
I am a very open person, and really value customer interaction. I love feedback, even if negative. I strive to meet our customers’ needs, and to make every dining experience special. If you have a recipe question or a general food question, feel free to ask for me at the ‘Wick,
send an email to the Pickwick inbox or give a call and ask for “Specks.”
Wow! Three Duluth teams in the finals, along with Hermantown. That’s a pretty impressive local lineup. No matter who makes it to state, enjoy the High School Hockey Tournaments with your friends at the Pickwick. We’ll have the games on all day long.
