EDMOND — Sous chef Cristian di Francesco is from Rosario, Argentina, where he trained at Rosario Community School of Culinary Arts.
“When I was growing up, my grandfather owned an Italian restaurant,” di Francesco said. “My entire family worked in it. My grandmother was the pastry chef, my aunt a chef and my mom helped in the kitchen.”
Although he left home when he was 13, his aunt encouraged him to go to school to learn culinary arts and for three months after that he worked in a hotel restaurant.
“When cooking barbecue for some friends, they all told me how much they loved it,” di Francesco said, and his life as a chef began.
In 2000 he came to Oklahoma and started working at Golden Rice on Northwest Expressway and Rockwell. He also has worked at the Red Rock Restaurant.
When he moved to Gallardia he was the prep chef and graduated to line cook under the watchful eye of Chef Pierre Lapouble. last name?
“Chef Pierre gave me a great opportunity to learn about French Cuisine,” di Francesco said.
When Chef Pierre moved to Waterford he took di Francesco with him, and while at the Waterford, Chef John Patterson became his inspiration.
“He was like a mentor to me, not only on the culinary side but as a person also,” di Francesco said.
Mike Bates, dining service manager for Touchmark at Coffee Creek and di Francesco both most recently came to Touchmark from Towne Village Independent Living Center in Oklahoma City.
Bates, with more than 16 years of management experience, comes from several of Oklahoma City’s favorite restaurants including The Coach House and Nonna’s Painted Door.
Di Francesco still keeps in touch with those who have had an influence on his life.
“I love what I do. For me this is a great experience,” di Francesco said.
Features
Related Photos
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Cristian di Francesco, sous chef at Touchmark, holds up a Mexican Flan to be served in one of the retirement community’s dining rooms. MAIKE RODE/The Edmond Sun MAIKE RODE/The Edmond Sun
Discussion
From Argentina to Oklahoma
Touchmark sous chef enjoys the culinary life
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