In this first of a series we hope to feature regularly in our Newsletters, we want to introduce you to the members of our Immaculata family - the staff who make all we do here possible.

Steve Anderson is our Executive Chef. He hails from Worcester, Massachusetts where he was raised and educated; he is the second oldest among 2 brothers and a sister. He now resides in Brooklyn, Connecticut with his wife of 15 years, Lisa (an employee at Foxwoods Casino) and their son, Spencer. Steve completed his secondary education in 1982 – a graduate of Bay Path Vocational Technical School with a concentration in carpentry and only a secondary interest in culinary arts.

He worked his way through school employed in his uncle’s restaurant (The Lodge) in Webster, Massachusetts, where he moved-up from line cook to baker to grill chef. By this time he had caught the cooking bug (carpentry became his secondary skill set). QVCC course work in business management soon provided him with the “flip side” (so to speak) of the culinary burger – how to handle the practicalities of food service. At one point in the early 90’s, he even ventured to run his own 40 seat eatery near home in Danielson, Connecticut.

It was the variety involved in working for a caterer in the late 80’s that had sparked Steve’s curiosity/passion for cooking. Along the way, several Executive Chefs took him under their wings – notably the world renowned Michael C. Beriau. What awakened his creativity in the kitchen was his exposure to the amazing flavors emanating from Mediterranean sautéed cuisine while working at The Public House in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.

From 1992, Steve plied his skills in several local restaurants culminating with his moving from Banquet Chef to Executive Chef in 6 months at the Ramada Inn in Auburn, Massachusetts where he worked for 4 years. Then, from the frying pan into the fire (so to speak), in 1999, and for 9 years before coming to Immaculata, Steve was the Executive Chef at the Foster Country Club in Foster, Rhode Island – a major banquet facility and restaurant serving many hundreds of patrons at one sitting and catering to Masonic events all over New England.

On the lighter side, Steve recalls how he was “Chef to the Stars” on several occasions during his career. He prepared meals for the likes of Joe Namath, Marie Osmond, Willie Nelson, Tanya Tucker, Charlie Daniels and even presidential candidate Michael Dukakis!

During his free time, Steve occupies himself with carpentry projects around the house and enjoys various sports, especially golf and tennis. He has coached junior league basketball in the recent past. He finds fishing a relaxing but solitary diversion; motorcycling is a pleasant pass-time that both he and Lisa can enjoy together.

Steve is Immaculata’s own Five Star Chef, experienced, imaginative, a well-rounded person and a valued member of our Executive Management Team.