Damon D's Page

I have worked in the restaurant and bar business for most of my life. I started working at the Olive Garden in 1987 as a line cook at age 17. It seems so long ago yet it seems like yesterday sometimes. At age 23, I worked my way up the ranks to Executive Chef in 1992 at a beachfront resort formerly known as Days Inn Island Beach Resort in St Petersburg Beach. That is where I got my first local press in the Creative Loafing magazine. I thought it was the best thing ever to see my picture and an article about my great food in black and white. Since then, I have owned three of my own restaurants, the first in 1998 at age 29 in Seekonk, Ma. This was a life changing experience, I saw things about the business that I had never seen before. One was how much money there was to be made in this business, the second was how easily the dollars can slip through your fingers if you are not on top of things all of the time. The restaurant is still doing very well, in fact, my former partner and mentor has added another top notch restaurant to the company. Check out www.chardonnaysrestaurant.com to see what they are about. In 2005 I got my real estate license as did my brother (and former chef/owner) and mother a couple of years earlier. In 2008, I partnered with an old friend to open up the Havana Country Club in The Villages, FL. I have now found my true love and calling in the business. That is to help prospective buyers and sellers of food and alcohol related establishments reach their goals. I look forward to assist you in one of your lifes most important transactions.

I also help present owners and managers develop marketing strategies using Social Media sites visit www.tampafoodie.com for details.