David, how and when did you discover your passion for the food service industry
Wow, my passion for the food industry on at 15 years old. It was my first job
I was dish washing, I was around amazing chefs. My second job I was a prep cook
Next I was on the cold side of the line, hot side of the line, I moved into sauces
I just kept going through restaurants and I realized when I went to college
I went to school for hotel and restaurant management. I fell in love with food more
but I realized that I was meant for more than just a kitchen, I had the skills and talents to move beyond
just managing a kitchen or sous cheffing. I turned it into what I thought was going to be a career.
What is actually hilarious, is I went to hotel restaurant management school
and got made fun of for taking classes like milkshake 101.
Alot of my friends were in the business school they didn't realize the background and talent
that it took to be in this industry. When I got out of school and got picked up by Marriott
in the manager development program, it allowed me to bounce around seven different states
and meet all these different chefs with all these different backgrounds
I continued to learn from every one of them. So when I finally left the company after Key West,
I moved back out to Colorado. I took all this knowledge, all these ideas and concepts that I had
from all the chefs I worked with and had the opportunity to start A Spice of Life.
Now I understand that you are very committed and support alot of charitable
events here in the Boulder area. Why is that important to you, David?
To begin with I'd like to say it was my up bringing. It was my fraternity in college
who taught me to give back, it's not all about having fun.
I think it's all about supporting your community. I think it all came together
from my musical passion, from the bands I listen to and it all brought together.
When I came into the community, I realized it doesn't matter if it's religious, the heart association,
the cancer association or the march of dimes. We here at Spice try to focus on women, children
and cancer. By doing that you gain more out of life. It's not all about taking
You have to give. It really became part of our core balance, it's part of our culture
It's our top five values. Giving back. What we found is the more you give, the more
people continue to support. We make sure that 10% of our company is going back out the door
in free or at cost donations.
Think back to your own wedding day, David. What do you remember most about that day?
Wow, I guess it has to be all the friends and family that came to town
the night of the rehearsal dinner went pretty late
and I was an absolute nervous wreck, I don't think I slept a wink the night before.
Finally, I get to where we got married at the museum, and I finally saw my wife, Amy.
And, whew I finally felt relaxed. I saw her face, I saw her dress, saw her holding that bouquet
That's what I remember most about my wedding day.
I know you've been involved with over 2500 weddings. What's the one thing
if you could go back and change your wedding day, what would you do differently on that day?
I would try to get more of my New York family here to town. I would try to get more of Amy's
Michigan family here to town. Because I think that's what the wedding is really all about
What that union really stands for, it really has nothing to do with what went on, on the wedding day .
It has everything to do with family, sticking together and taking care of each other.
Fantastic! David, thanks so much for your time today. I appreciate it and
www.aspiceoflife.com
for anyone who would like to see you, what is your website address please?