Chef Gene Gerrard Smith credits Julia Child as his muse -- as she was for countless other chefs -- and
years later, he had the opportunity to meet Mrs. Child who praised him as
"a fearless chef, which is just
how a chef should be!"  

Chef Gene was raised on the East Coast and graduated from Wesleyan University.  He took the first step in
his culinary education by traveling to Russia, where he was inspired to recreate the French-influenced
cuisine of the Tzars.  He immersed himself in French cooking, training in the classic preparations of Le
Cordon Bleu.  He then traveled to Italy, and under the tutelage of Chef Massimo Natale, he focused on
authentic Italian cuisine, particularly the specialties of Rome and Emilia-Romagna.  Chef Gene's restaurant
work includes The House in Los Angeles and JRDN in San Diego and several L.A. caterers.

Chef Gene incorporated Divoon Dining in 2006 -- a personal chef/private chef service in Los Angeles --
and today combines the fresh ingredients and time-tested techniques of French and Italian cooking into a
lighter and flavorful Californian cuisine.  Freshness and quality, tastefully and beautifully presented, are
hallmarks of Chef Gene's imaginative approach to fine dining.

Chef Gene is a member of the vibrant LA/Ventura County Chapter of the U.S. Personal Chefs Association.
Watch Chef Gene on
Community Cooking!
Click HERE