What's Happening at Ocean Grill

For Women's History Month (March), we sat down with Ocean Grill Executive Chef Theresa "Tess" Tripodi to hear her words of wisdom for females entering the hopsitality industry. Meet Chef Tess!

According to Theresa "Tess" Tripodi, Executive Chef of Ocean Grill, creativity is they key to surviving in the culinary world.  "Everything in this industry requires creativity," says Chef Tess.

Chef Tess grew up in a large family, where everyone loved to cook.  Cooking was a daily household activity that everyone took part in, and she decided she wanted to make a career out of. Tess attended the Culinary Institute of America and graduated in 2000.  After graduating she met someone who worked with David Burke, and recommended she apply for a job at Blue Water Grill. Tess landed the job and has been with BR Guest ever since, working her way up to Executive Chef at Ocean Grill.

At Ocean Grill, she is in charge of “maintaining the highest level of culinary excellence that [they] can, by being involved in every possible task pertaining to food.”  Just because she’s executive chef, doesn’t mean her entire day revolves around the kitchen.  She also has to be aware of all events occurring in the neighborhood as well as planning into the near and far future of anything dealing with Ocean Grill. 

Tess works in an industry that used to be primarily male dominated, but more and more femals chefs are coming to the forefront.  According to Chef Tess, “when you step into a kitchen, it doesn’t matter if you are male or female, what matters is that you prove you can do the job, handle the pressure, and manage your life.  As long as you can do that, you will succeed.”