MANAYUNK

During this week's One-On-One interview , we discovered the chef behind the delicious food at Derek's Restaurant. Derek Davis, executive chef and owner, is the secret ingredient to his successful restaurant. His love of food, talent, and passion creates the irresistible dishes offered on his menu. We took a walk over to his restaurant  for a friendly handshake and some questions to get to know Derek.

1. What is your favorite ingredient to cook with and why?

Derek easily answered with "Salt and Pepper." He explained that cooks need salt and pepper to properly season food. The seasoning differentiates a good cook from a great cook!

2.  If you had the most expensive bottle of wine, what occasion would you save it for? Why?        

"Any Sunday night dinner."  Wine is an everyday thing for Derek. It's always on the table. Therefore, "the most expensive bottle doesn't make it the best bottle." Derek described wine as circumstantial. What makes wine great is not necessarily the label, but who you are with, where you are, and the mood you are in.  

3.  What is your top favorite place you have traveled?  Why?

Derek couldn't decide but he knows where he wants to go next. Northern Italy or Iceland. "Iceland is just a hop, skip, and jump away. People think it is exotic but it is only a 4 hour plan ride, much closer than Europe. "

4.  If tomorrow was your last day on earth, how would you spend it?

"Eating and drinking with close friends and family."  What foodie wouldn't?

5.  If you could have one celebrity of your choice dine with you at your restaurant who would it be and why? What would you recommend he/she orders?

Although a difficult question to answer, Derek chose Superman because "he is the ultimate celebrity." Of all the item on Derek's menu, he would choose to serve Superman his BBQ Ribs.

6.  What keeps you coming back each day to your restaurant? What do you look forward to the most each day?

Derek  is just as excited to get to work as he was when he first opened his restaurant. When he's in his restaurant he does not leave until all of his guests are fed and satisfied. He is also motivated by his 40 employees who depend on him to perform well.

7.  Thanksgiving is right around the corner. What is an essential dish at dinner/dessert? Do you cook dinner? What is your favorite thing to cook and what is your least favorite thing to cook?

Derek prefaced his answer to this question by saying that "Thanksgiving is the only day of the year that Derek's is closed. It is truly everyone's holiday. Everyone celebrates it." He keeps his Thanksgiving dinner traditional and doesn't deviate too much. However, he bones his turkey to make it less messy for his friends and family. He enjoys cooking everything which is why he goes above and beyond to make sure every one of his guests are happy. He wants to make them something they'll like and so he will never tell them what they have to eat!  

8.  What is your guilty pleasure during the holiday seasons?

"Cookies. Lots of cookies." When I followed up with what kind of cookie Derek doesn't discriminate he said "whatever's on the table."

9.  If you had to choose between being a waiter and a bartender what would you choose and why?

Derek quickly answered with bartender. He referred to bartenders as "social chemists" and believes that "behind the bar you can connect better with guests."

10." I love Manayunk because I have lived here for 25 years and work here. I like it because it's easy. It is 15 minutes from anywhere"

Derek is committed to his passion. His final thoughts on his interview were "the most successful people are those who get up and do what they want." Derek has definitely been successful in his career. Stop by Derek's Restaurant to taste the food of a chef works hard to create the best dining experience.