39 West has a new member to our culinary team, Executive-Chef Daniel Houle. Chef Dan brings a creative new flair to Italian Cuisine.
Chef Dan began his culinary journey working for his uncle at the age of 14 where he was a dishwasher but soon developed an interest for working on the line and trying new things motivated him to step up for Players Corner Pub in Providence, RI. During the summers the company opened a kitchen at Bonnet Shores Beach Club where he worked with chefs from all different backgrounds and really got to open his culinary mind.
After high school Chef Dan enlisted in the United States Marine Corp and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. This gave Dan balance and maturity and has seen cuisines from all types of cultures. Since being all over the world Chef Dan has a more global well rounded view of the world and food. After his Honorable Discharge he realized his passion for food and leadership strengths from the Corps would be useful tools to operate in the culinary field.
Chef Dan picked back up in the culinary business at the corporate level starting back in as a line cook at Ruby Tuesday where he soon became the Kitchen Manager. Being in charge of a kitchen was interesting but there was no room for creativity and change so Chef Dan took a step back to work for a new restaurant, South County Tavern and Grill. Chef Dan worked hard learning new techniques and seeing new ideas. Soon after, Chef Dan became “Sous” Chef where he learned the business side of the industry. Learning more about food and freshness gave him a new satisfaction to what some fresh ingredients can be combined together to make such delicious meals.
Next, Chef Dan’s journey brought him to Alpine Country where he worked as a chef assistant for both banquet and A La Carte dining. Learning new ideas from chefs who have been doing what they love for 20 + years Chef Dan really started to open his culinary mind and see just what you can with techniques on different cuisines. The Italian - American cuisine with a new flair which he experienced and enjoyed cooking will now be featured here with us at 39 West Restaurant and Lounge located right in Phenix Plaza in Cranston, RI
As his first role as Executive Chef, Dan will focus on deconstructing old fashioned ideas using the freshest of ingredients to modernize his cuisine in the new ones. Pushing the envelope and trying new creative ideas with individual flair. We at 39 West are excited to see what Chef Dan will come up with next.