Seamus Mackenzie
Where You’re From: The Land of the Sun, New Mexico
Education: B.A. in Creative Writing from University of New Mexico
Work Experience: I have worked all kinds of jobs. My first job was in a mechanic shop, and since then I have fought forest fires in Oregon, taught children how to ski on the bunny slopes of Taos, New Mexico, and worked in the health food industry in co-ops for about four years, including a stint at a meat shop in Eugene, Oregon.
If I had to guess I would say I have worked in about twenty kitchens, thus far. I got my first kitchen job in the summer of 1988 in Santa Fe. More recently, I worked for Wolfgang Puck for six years, spending half of that time in Beverly Hills and half in Maui. In my last position, I worked with Chef Jerry traunfeld as part of the team that opened Poppy.
Favorite Late-Night Snack: Anything easy, like leftovers. But I also like white beans and bread.
Favorite Line From A Movie: “Y’all ain’t never got two things that match! Y’all got Kool-Aid, no sugar, peanut butter, no jelly, ham, no burger. Damn.” Friday
Best Vacation You Ever Had: Thailand. There was great food and beautiful scenery.
Guilty Pleasure Song: “Veteran of the Psychic Wars” by
Blue Oyster Cult.
If You Weren’t In The Restaurant Industry You Would Be: A journalist
Favorite “Winter” Food: Dried fruits, like dried cherries or Turkish apricots. Stews. Blood oranges.
