John des Rosiers ILLUSTRATION BY KIRSTEN ULVE
LAST ODD INGREDIENT YOU INCLUDED IN A DISH?
“Red cabbage gazpacho—we use it in our new cauliflower dish. It’s clean and simple, using locally grown cabbage (of course) that’s pureed and finished with olive oil and sea salt.”
LAST GREAT MEAL YOU PREPARED?
“A 10-course wine dinner at a customer’s house. We rented special tables, paired every course with wine out of his cellar, and had special lighting for the outdoor seating. It was a gorgeous event at a beautiful home with stunning cuisine. Every course was prepared specifically for that one dinner, for that one moment.”
LAST GREAT BOOK YOU READ
“April 1865. I’m a huge fan of history. The book deals with the month the Civil War ended and Lincoln was assassinated. Huge moments in our history that honestly make politics right now seem bland in comparison.”
LAST TIME YOU LAUGHED OUT LOUD?
“Happens every day. Even when our business has a tough time or when we have any number of issues to deal with and work on, there is always time to laugh. Usually my wife Cecilia is the source.”
LAST TIME YOU TREATED YOURSELF?
“I don’t usually treat myself in big ways. I live most of my life trying to make other people happy, trying to enrich their lives, working hard to keep our businesses growing, making sure our 70 employees make a good living and are taken care of. Those things make my place in the world worthwhile, and I enjoy them immensely.”
