By Billie Nagy
Since De Equitibus last spoke with him, TPA senior and superstar chef Peter McQuaid has been up to a great deal of exciting new things. Back in March, the bright-eyed opportunity-seeking chef began his fast paced career at James Beard award nominee Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza’s restaurant, Barrio Urbano. After working and gaining experience, he later accepted a job offer from Food Network star Chef Beau MacMillan at his restaurant, Elements, at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort, in Scottsdale.
Today, Peter not only continues to work at the distinguished restaurant, but is gaining precedence in the food world by making numerous event appearances and cooking with famous chefs. Two of the more prominent events Peter has thus far attended include the AZ Central Food and Wine Festival and the 2015 Taste America James Beard Dinner, “which was a fantastic way to meet new chefs and definitely one of the best experiences I’ve had so far this year,” Peter says.In this year alone Peter has cooked with two famous chefs, Food Network’s Restaurant Impossible host, Robert Irvine, and MasterChef star, Graham Elliot.
Beside continuing his work at the “Farm fresh American/Modern Asian Cuisine” Elements at the Sanctuary Resort, Peter is now working as a chef at restaurant ilTocco. As he says, it’s “A company where we throw private dinners, underground restaurants, have dinner tastings in our chef’s den every week for 12 people, and have many very high end clients,” though he doesn’t like to brag. Amazingly, he is even the private chef for television UFC commentator Mike Goldberg, which “still seems a bit insane to me, but I couldn’t be any happier about it.”As for future plans, Peter will surely be busy. He’ll be competing again next March in the C-CAP (Careers through Culinary Arts Program) for huge scholarship opportunities and the chance to show what I’ve learned in the restaurants, as I’m a top prospect this year.”
As for future plans, Peter will surely be busy. He’ll be competing again next March in the C-CAP (Careers through Culinary Arts Program) for huge scholarship opportunities and the chance to show what “I’ve learned in the restaurants, as I’m a top prospect this year.” As for college plans, Peter has been accepted into his top two choice culinary schools: the Culinary Institute of America in New York, and Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. Though Peter has not yet decided which school he will attend, he is clearly excited about everything his future will bring, no matter the school.
Similarly, he is current being approached by the Food Network show, Chopped, and is absolutely thrilled to be making plans with them for 2016. It’s truly amazing how setting one’s mind to something can lead to great accomplishments. We wish you all the luck in your future endeavors, Peter!
