Chef Bios: Scott Staples

After spending most of his life exposed to the restaurant industry, Scott Staples has now opened three Seattle restaurants with his wife, Heather.

Scott grew up in Denver, Colo. where his family was in the restaurant industry. His mother taught Staples and his brothers how to cook and his father and mentor, Dixon Staples, operated three successful restaurants in Colorado for 35 years.

At the age of 17, Scott began working under chef Cruz Iman from whom he learned to appreciate classical cuisine. In 1896, Scott moved to work at Mattie Silks, a popular restaurant in the Steamboat Springs, as a sous chef. The next year, Staples re-located to Telluride and worked at La Marmotte, a restaurant that specialized in classic French country fare. Then in 1988, Scott married his wife Heather and moved to Boston where Heather could pursue her interests in architecture. During their time in Boston, Scott worked at French restaurants 29 Newbury as chef de cuisine and Rowes Wharf Restaurant as chef de tournant, saucier.

From 1990 to 1991, Scott and Heather lived in Milan, Italy where Scott could receive more classical training as a chef. This is where Scott worked at Ristorante Gualtiero Marchesi with Gualtiero Marchesi, the first Italian to receive three Michelin Stars. When they returned from abroad and moved to Seattle, Staples was hired at the Palm Court restaurant. For the next 9 years, Staples worked in various restaurants where he perfected his skills as a chef.

In 2000, Scott and Heather were able to combine their skills and open Restaurant Zoë. Then in 2007, Staples opened his second restaurant, Quinn's Pub. Most recently, Scott and Heather have opened Uneeda Burger, a burger restaurant in the Fremont area of Seattle.

QUICKFACTS:
Culinary Style: Mediterranean
Restaurants: Restaurant Zoë, Quinn's Pub, Uneeda Burger

DID YOU KNOW?
Staple's named Restaurant Zoë after his daughter and Quinn's Pub after his son.