He graduated from Culinary Institute of America, worked at Commander's Palace for a short period (just after Emeril left), worked at a four star hotel, and then in a few smaller upscale restaurants in San Francisco. Eventually the verbal abuse, long hours, drug addictions and general nastiness took its toll. He started investigating meat production, charcuterie, and general butchering. Worked for a number of years at a natural meat company (butchering, packing, sales, and quality control) and then recently started his own high end organic and all-natural meat market in the San Francisco Bay Area.
I know many more graduates of culinary programs who stay out of kitchens than I do graduates of culinary programs who are cheffing. It's a really nasty scene.
SaulsMom