Overview
Dana Tough, a Montana native of Cuban heritage, has spent a dozen years cooking in the Puget Sound region. After graduating from the culinary arts program at South Seattle Community College, he began his career with the opening of Waterfront Seafood Grill with his first mentor, Vicky McAfree, and in 1999 went on to Tulio with Chef Walter Pisano. From there, Dana was sous chef at Bandol and then lead cook and later chef de cuisine at Earth & Ocean. Dana co-owned Spur Gastropub in Seattle with fellow Schwan's Chef Collective member Brian McCracken.
Highlights & Awards
- 2010 GQ one of 25 best bars in the US
- 2013 Food & Wine nominee for People's Best New Chef
- Focuses on selling the experience, not just the food
- He and Chef Brian have formed a successful partnership opening several restaurants
- 2015 Received StarChefs Mentor Award