Q. Culinary school trained or self-taught?
A. Graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York with a lot of self education along the way.
Q. What is your favorite food from your childhood?
A. My mom made a meatloaf that I could eat everyday.
Q. What is the last thing you cooked for yourself?
A. Last night I made Aebleskiver ( Danish Donuts) for me and the family.
Q. What dish would you recommend to someone that has never eaten at Gladstone’s?
A. You will have to visit more than once. After our Lobster Mac ‘n’ Cheese, we have a great Fish ‘n’ Chips, a killer Calamari and Baby Back Ribs. Yes. Gladstones’s has Baby Back ribs.
Q. Favorite pot or pan in the kitchen?
A. The family has a 14-inch non-stick sauté pan. It does eggs and fried chicken. It is always on the stove top waiting for its next assignment.
Q. Fun fact about yourself?
A. I have participated in two Red Bull Flugtag events: Team FishnChip and Team Flycycle. Have yet to win, but I think I will try again next time RedBull rolls into town.
Q. Five things you can’t live without in the kitchen?
A. A working stove top, cutting board, a knife, a bar towel and butter.
Q. What’s on your Bucket List?
A. Traveling, never been to South America.
Q. What’s your ultimate fantasy meal – what, where and with who (living or dead)?
A. It would be fun to have the family dine with Georges Auguste Escoffier back in his years, dining on the classics of French cookery.
Q. What are your guilty pleasures?
A. Tortilla chips and salsa. You’ll find me at Super Mex on my day off with those, a margarita in my hand and carnitas in front of me.
Q. Something in your fridge or freezer that would surprise people?
A. A three day old cup of coffee with the plans to consume it.
Originally from Denmark, Pete lives in Long Beach with his wife Mary Ann. Son Jackson (18) is a freshman at Northwestern University and Son Lucas (14) is a freshman at St. Joseph school. A Siberian Husky named Naya completes the family.
