VANGUELIS PABLOPULOS
VANGUELIS PABLOPOLUS
I am 31 years old and a certified Chef De Cuisine. I was born in Chile and moved to Florida when I was 13. Soon, at 14, I started my career in cuisine as a dishwasher at a Steakhouse in Florida. Within the six years, I moved up to become the Assistant Kitchen Manager. This is where I learned my techniques and all the basic cooking procedures. From there I went to Applebee’s and learned my speed and American fast food. The Columbia is where I met the first Chef who truly inspired me to become a chef. The Saint Petersburg Yacht club is where I learned all my main sauces and how to interact with the members.
I continued my culinary education at the Locale Market by Chef Michael Mina and Don Pintabona, which had 13 open kitchens and a fresh market place. This is where I really learned to work with fish and other fresh seafood. After that I was recruited to San Antonio to work at a private dining club called the Argyle. Deciding I wanted to share my skills and love for food with a more public clientele, I am now the Executive Sous Chef at The Petroleum Club in San Antonio. I love being in this industry because it challenges me to always do better and create something new. What’s great about this industry is there will always be someone combining flavors you never thought would go together. I love to be able to have a creative mind and have fun doing what I love, but also be able to teach and mentor younger chefs. Satisfaction, to me, is sending dish out and seeing people’s reaction. Seeing their faces and seeing them take the first bite and closing their eyes and taking them back to a childhood memory that brings joy and amusement to them.
Awards and Certifications:
ACF Certified Chef de Cuisine 2018
TCA San Antonio chapter Chef of the Year 2018
TCA convention 1st place Top Chef Competition 2018
TCA Hot Dog Challenge 1st place 2018
TCA San Antonio chapter Bubba Gump shrimp challenge 1st place
2018 Port Aransas Golden Ticket Winner
2019 Eculent Kemah Texas Golden Ticket Winner