Meet Peter Lehmar | Chef, family guy, bicyclist, dog lover

We had the good fortune of connecting with Peter Lehmar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Peter, why did you pursue a creative career?
I starting working in kitchen at 16. By 18 I knew that I wanted to pursue the life in a kitchen. I just could not see myself sitting behind a desk all day. Being a chef is physically demanding and being an athlete, this too lured me into the kitchen. There is always something happening in the kitchen so it is not boring. But the creative side of being a Chef is truly what makes it so fun. When you create something whether it’s dinner for two or a catering event for 3,000 people,… to visualize how it will look, taste and smell and then to see that vision happen, and the people enjoy it, that is what makes being a Chef so fun. When you get the compliments and accolads, you smile and think of how to create something even better the next time.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
It has been a journey. I learned along time ago that the only person in the kitchen making money was the Chef. my road to that title came before attending the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. But since attending, I have been blessed to work for some great companies including the Westgate Hotel in San Diego, McCormick and Schick’s Seafood Restaurants and recently, 17 years at Gladstone’s for Fish and Fun in Long Beach. It is hard to run a huge kitchen like Gladstone’s. Imagine serving in excess of 2400 people ‘A la Carte’ for 16 straight hours on Mother’s day. I am older now and while I miss Gladstone’s, I am currently the Director of Culinary Operations at the Orange County School of Arts. I now have weekends, evenings and all holidays off. This position is not given to everyone, I earned it with Food knowledge, good sanitation practices, the ability to manage several people and make a profit. My math skills in managing kitchens is very good. The understanding of managing an inventory is one of my strong suits and when you combine that with good food, you get a pretty good Chef

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live along the coast of California, so we have fantastic places to visit on a weekend road trip. Let’s drive north and visit The French Laundry in Sonoma County. Heading South in Paso Robles we will stop at Cregor’s Liquor store, One of the best Trip tip Sandwiches anywhere. They come off the grill in the parking lot everyday around 10:30 and sold out by 1:00
South of there Just North of Solvang is a restaurant called ‘Industrial Eats” local farm raised product served at the highest quality.
Heading South into Solvang, a Danish Community, everyone needs to stop and get their fill on Ableskiver, Danish Donuts served at a variety of restaurants in this beautiful small town.
Heading South and Back in the Los Angles Area, one must visit Phillip’s, before a Dodger game.
Then there is the Chowder Bar in San Pedro. Gladstone’s had great Clam chowder, the closest thing to it is the Clam Chowder at the Chowder bar. Bac to Long Beach we have some great bars with just good fresh bar food including Tracy’s, Rounding Third and lastly, we end up back to my house, aka Chateau Lehmar where Mary Ann and I whip up dinners all the time for visitors and friends. It is the best restaurant in town

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My wife, Mary Ann. She is a great cook. We do a lot of catering together. The two of us just simple make things happen in the kitchen. During the Pandemic, we started doing Zoom cooking classes for family and friends, then we started to get hired to do specific Zoom cooking classes and we made some money doing that. It was fun.

Other: You can Google my name Peter Lehmar and all kinds of things pop up World food championships West Coast Chowder Championship Food Finders Flugtog plenty of photos too

Image Credits
Justinrudd,com Chef Pete