Chef Bios: Tom Douglas

Tom Douglas was born in Newark, Del. and is one of the most well-known and successful chefs in the Seattle area. He has opened a network of restaurants throughout downtown Seattle with his business partner and wife, Jackie Cross, throughout his approximate 30 years in the industry.

Douglas' first restaurant was Dahlia Lounge in 1989 and continues to be one of Seattle's most popular restaurants. Following that, he opened up Etta's Seafood, Palace Kitchen, and a whole slew of other restaurants. Aside from restaurants, Tom Douglas has also published three cookbooks: Tom Douglas' Seattle Kitchen, Tom's Big Dinners, and I Love Crab Cakes. This chef has received numerous awards and has made several radio and TV appearances, including Iron Chef America where he defeated Chef Masaharu Morimoto.

Douglas is also the chef for Teatro ZinZanni, a circus dinner theater that began in Seattle, and is a member of the One Reel board, a non-profit performing arts company, that produces it. To add to their already numerous business ventures, Tom and his wife also have a catering business, Tom Douglas' Catering and Events, and Palace Ballroom, a space for various events. In 2009, Amazon.com partnered with Douglas to create Tom Douglas by Pinzon, a line of products for your kitchen and dining room.

Douglas currently resides in Seattle, Wash. with Cross and their daughter Loretta.

QUICKFACTS:
Culinary Style: Pacific Rim
Restaurants: Lola, Palace Kitchen, Dahlia Lounge, Dahlia Bakery, Etta's, Serious Pie Downtown, Seatown, Brave Horse Tavern, Cuoco, Dahlia Workshop, Serious Pie Westlake, Ting Momo

DID YOU KNOW?
Douglas also has a specialty food line that sells such as its Rub with Love spice rubs and various sauces.