Carlos Anthony's attitude towards his cuisine is deeply rooted in family tradition, something I'm sure his grandmother is proud of. After all, she is the inspiration for many of his ideas. Keeping a positive attitude (and knowing how to precisely soft poach an egg) are two valuable talents Anthony possesses, but today his skill set includes responding to our rapid fire round.
Catch up with our time with Carlos in yesterday's intro over here.
Then continue getting to know him down below. . .
When you're not in the kitchen, what are you doing?
“Not in the kitchen”? I don't know what that means (laughs). I'm never not in the kitchen.
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Last book read; how was it?
I just finished reading Last of the Mohicans. I'm not sure what that says about me, but I just really enjoyed it! I also just started to re-read Huckleberry Finn.
Did you always plan on becoming a chef?
Just because I spent a lot of time in the kitchen as a kid doesn't mean I always wanted to be a chef. I actually wanted to be a lawyer at one point. I was on the debate team in high school, and had dreams of being a trial lawyer/prosecutor. But after I got my first job in a restaurant kitchen, I knew there was no turning back.
What were you up to five years ago?
I had just interviewed with Brian Malarkey and started working at Searsucker. I dove head first into the most exciting restaurant in the San Diego culinary scene, and loved every second.
Hardest lesson you've learned:
Nothing bad ever happens when you want it to.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Tucson, Arizona. I was drawn here by the amazing produce and impeccable seafood, and I guess the beach didn't hurt.
Tell us about your great, great grandmother and her influence on your cooking.
About five years ago, my grandmother gave me the family recipes that were passed on to her from her mother and grandmother. Those recipes have played a part in every holiday, celebration and special occasion in my life, so they are deeply significant. Incorporating elements of them into my cooking is very meaningful to me.
Last song playing on your radio:
Bob Dylan. Like a Rolling Stone.
What other skills do you have outside of the kitchen?
I play a little golf. I wouldn't say I'm good at it, but I do enjoy it.
Last thing you looked up online:
Fantasy football stats and the “Canadian anthem fail”, which is the YouTube video in which this tuxedo-wearing guy with an epic mullet is ice skating while signing the national anthem before a hockey game, and he trips and falls on his face.
What would you be doing if you weren't in this business?
I think it would be cool to sail around the world, stopping in beach towns along the way to fish, and grill it on the beach.
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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.