Athlete, handyman, air traffic controller. Our subject of the week has no shortage of skills, but family man is his preferred job. He shares memories about both his parents, plus gives advice about where not to fight in today's installment.
Read our interview with David Paul Fune of Splashes, Part One.
And now, on to Part Two . . .
Could you elaborate on the influence your mother had on your decision to become a chef.
You mean besides being in the kitchen cooking next to her all summer long because I was grounded for an entire season on occasion as a kid?
Seriously, she provided all of the groundwork for anything and everything I have accomplished in life by inspiring me to experience and breathe in life. Especially by being a role model for me– the importance of pouring my heart and soul in anything I do. Something I feel, brought me all the joy I have today. I love you mom! My dad is awesome on another level, too. But you didn't ask.
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What other career paths did you explore before deciding on becoming a chef?
Artist, air traffic controller, professional skateboarder/jet skier, physical therapist, vampire (I don't sleep).
When you use the internet, what's on your homepage?
I start my e-journey each day with a fresh search and 'click' (unless I left 20+ tabs open; my wife hates that). That could be anything from Star Trek clips for my kids (and me) and the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch to keep 'in the know' on sustainable, fresh seafood.
What valuable lessons did you learn in culinary school that you might not have learned otherwise?
Never fight in the kitchen– go outside; there are knives in there!
Also, to believe in my self and my ideas. Carry on your day with conviction– let your passion show, and people will be interested in what you are doing.
Where did you grow up?
Linda Vista in San Diego.
What's your favorite childhood memory?
Going to midnight movies with my dad in Old Downtown San Diego to watch triple featured Bruce Lee movies and spaghetti westerns. I think I could've just as easily become Quentin Tarantino, but I chose to turn left instead of making a U-turn.
When you're not in the kitchen cooking, what are you doing?
Spending time with my family, playing ice hockey, riding my Harley or skateboarding.
Last thing you looked up online:
A Tedx USC lecture by Rodney Mullen. Food-wise, farms I could get duck eggs from.
Last song playing on your radio:
Cherub All remix and Daft Punk Instant Crush.
Hardest lesson you learned:
Most impactful lesson: You can change the world by changing yourself.
Do you have any skills that are non-food related?
Absolutely.
I should be playing in the NHL (Just kidding. More my dream), but I was once a sponsored skateboarder and pretty “rad” jet skier.
As an adult, I've done my entire backyard landscape (Alone, with no heavy machinery or equipment) from design, deck construction, cement work, laying sod, sprinkler planning/piping, built a custom koi pond and transported 95% of (including, but not limited to) wood, pvc, electrical components, decorative rock, plants/trees, ground cover, pea gravel and exotic stones. Designed and built a custom entertainment center. I guess I'm a bit of an over-the-top DIY guy.
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A contributing writer for OC Weekly, Anne Marie freelances for multiple online and print publications, and guest judges for culinary competitions. A Bay Area transplant, she graduated with a degree in Hospitality Management from Cal Poly Pomona. Find her on Instagram as brekkiefan.