Robert Irvine, a native of England, began his culinary training at the age
of fifteen upon entering the Royal Navy. He served as Director of Culinary
Operations/Executive Chef at the Trump Taj Mahal and Caesars Atlantic City,
during which he accumulated numerous awards and accolades, both for himself
and for the properties. Today, Robert hosts his own hit TV show, The
Effortless Gourmet which airs on NBC and is currently working on two new
national TV shows as well as cook books due to be released the latter part
of 2005.
How long have you lived in Atlantic City?
I have lived in ac for about 9 years.
What originally brought you to AC?
The diversity of people in the surrounding area, and the great
opportunities that are here!
Describe your perfect day in Atlantic City.
My perfect day would be getting up late and going for a leisurely breakfast
with a newspaper, then watching a great movie on TV. As I travel and work so
much a days rest is good to recharge the batteries, I think the last time I
actually took a day of was in Dec of last year!
What do like most about Atlantic City?
The proximity to all major cities, I like the changes that have occurred in
the past couple of years across the city Resorts, Tropicana and a few other
casinos have invested wisely in both people and there product and that’s
great for the image and guest experience.
Where do you see the city in 10 years?
I see that Atlantic city will become stronger in the gaming industry and
will also get stronger on the restaurant scene, although I don’t think
that it will be as diverse and as strong as Las Vegas, simply because of the
guest demographics.
What is your part in getting there?
I feel lucky enough to have had some great mentors who have taught me
throughout the years, I have tried to pass on what little information or
techniques I can to make a difference in some ones life whether it be a
steward, cook or a chef your only as good as your last meal - and you’re
only as good as your weakest team member. My part in taking AC to the next
level has been able to promote AC both on a local and a national level both
in the media and print and TV, not to mention highlighting some of the great
culinary talent that is here!!
What three words describe Atlantic City best?
Always turned on!!!!
What do you like most about being a chef?
I love being a chef because you impact somebody’s life immediately though
art! You also do the same thought training and passion! What other art form
can you do that as well as eat and drink! It’s amazing!
Has fame influenced your style of cooking?
The answer to this question is easy a lot of things influence my cooking
whether it be the Oscars, Grammies or just plain old cooking dinner, the
weather, moods, where you are in the world, how your day going, but I don’t
consider myself famous by any stretch of the imagination! How does that
Steven Segal movie go? “I’m just a cook!!” But I love being a cook I
don’t know anything else.
| 
more
