I took my first “job” in elementary school when I was just 10 years old. Assigned to monitor my classmates upon completion of their lunches and to ensure their lunch trays were scraped clean, I was, the “School Scraper”.  From day one, I noticed that some lunch trays were coming back virtually untouched, and it just didn’t seem right to throw away perfectly good food.  So in a selfless act to avoid unnecessary waste, I proceeded to single handedly consume as much of the leftover food as possible.  It was not always easy though. Some days, I’d have to endure as many as 15 pieces of garlic bread, and on other days as many as 12 Peanut Butter Chews. And on meatloaf and mashed potato day’s…words can’t describe the dedication I showed.

While growing up I was known best for two things, playing basketball and/ or eating. Anyone who knew me would tell you so. And, when my aspirations to play in NBA were short-lived due to ankle injuries and “Not Enough Talent”, I was destined to pursue my first love…FOOD.

My first of many jobs in the Hotel Industry came at the age of 20 as a banquet server. Responsible for clearing the plates from the table once people were finished eating. And again, I immediately noticed many plates coming back virtually untouched… So, with the same determination and selflessness I displayed in elementary school, I knew what had to be done. And, three or four Chicken Cordon Bleu and a bunch of Chocolate Mousse Pies later, I was sure I’d found my dream job.

Eventually I realized there was more to life than just eating, nevertheless, my passion for food stayed strong.  Not able to afford the price of dining out every night, I started cooking meals at home, enabling me to indulge in great foods while entertaining my friends and enjoying myself in the process.

And after 20 plus years of hands on experience, I actually made it to the NBA…
Not as a player, but as the personal chef for one of the NBA's greatest players, Bill Walton. Working for Bill and his family confirmed what I already knew.

I loved being in the kitchen, cooking great foods, and having the opportunity to meet quality people. And from there, DINNERS by DAVID was created…

"For Life’s Special Occasions"