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About Sean Swasey

Chef Sean Swasey began his culinary journey at the age of 15 years old. He discovered his passion for cooking early in his first job as a dishwasher, where he would offer to help with food prep every chance he could. The chef was impressed with his desire to learn and took him under his wing. He quickly excelled to prep cook, line cook and sous chef. His first executive chef job was at the junction restaurant in snowshoe ski and golf resort in 2001. As Sean learned many of the business aspects and culinary techniques, his hunger for knowledge led him to culinary school. To get a more formal training, he attended the art institute of Washington in Arlington VA. During culinary school he completed his internship working at Central, award winning Chef Michelle Richard’s Bistro concept restaurant. Here Sean refined his skills studying under the talented now award-winning Chef Cedric Maupillier. Sean learned classic French techniques fused with modern American cuisine, using Chef Michelle Richard’s unique cooking techniques. During Sean’s time at Central, the restaurant received the James Bread Award for Best New restaurant.

Next Sean parlayed his skills at Mad Fox Brewing Company, where he discovered his passion for developing new restaurant concepts and the excitement of opening them. Later Sean joined Matchbox Food Group, a company with a lot of promise for opening new restaurants. Sean played a major role in the opening of multiple restaurants for Matchbox. He learned how to create systems that can grow a concept and insure profitability, consistency and high quality. Sean then moved to the West Coast, settling in San Diego, where he was the culinarian director and Restaurant Operations Manager for Poke123. Sean was instrumental in opening the first three Poke123 establishments, now a successful chain in the San Diego area. Sean’s first independent venture was East West Eats LLC, a catering company specializing in Korean BBQ Street tacos.

This venture provided the final piece he needed to fully understand all the ins and out of opening and running a business. Now Sean would like to take his 20+ years of experience and give back to our community with “DC Chefs Giving Back”.

Sean Swasey