Chef Spotlight: Mike Lorinczi- Downtown Bistro

We’re highlighting some of Burlington’s best chefs to get to know them and their food a little better. This week we had the pleasure of asking Chef Mike Lorinczi, from Downtown Bistro a few questions.

Name: Mike Lorinczi, Executive Chef & Owner

Restaurant: Downtown Bistro

What inspired you to start cooking? Watching my mother cook, traveling and tasting foods of the world

When & where did you start? Started cooking at home when I was 20

What’s the first thing you learned to cook really well? Steak

What is your favourite thing to cook? I love smoking meats, curing meats and anything on the grill

Who is your greatest culinary inspiration? My mother

What did you have for breakfast today? An omelete

Is there any food that you won’t even try? Liver

What is the best meal you have ever had? Probably in Paris, a pasta dish with fresh baked bread and an amazing salad all super fresh and made from scratch.

And what about the worst? The worst was in Burlington, first a bad order of swordfish followed up by a frozen piece of fish

What’s the biggest piece of advice you can give a young, aspiring chef? Follow your dream, never give up even when things can’t get any worse never ever give up. Learn from your mistakes and always set goals.

If you could cook for anyone, past or present, who would it be for and what would you make? My Mother and father and Chuck, A six course tasting menu

Thank you Chef Mike for sharing with us! Stay tuned for more chef spotlights and let us know if there’s anyone you’d like us to track down.