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Image of Chef Dory Ford Aqua Terra Culinary Chef/Owner Dory Ford Bio:

Ford’s life-long passion for food began in the Pacific Northwest. Fueled by his love of food and inspired by the abundance of local ingredients - fresh seafood, wild mushrooms, and garden-fresh produce, he began his culinary career at Malasapina College’s chef-training program in British Columbia.

After steadily advancing through the ranks in kitchens of the Pacific Northwest, Ford headed to warmer climates. He landed in the culinary hotbed of Hawaii, where he enthusiastically immersed himself in Pacific Rim cuisine.

From Hawaii, Ford moved to Los Angeles to continue to broaden his horizons and fuel his passion for food. In Los Angeles, Ford served as the Executive Chef for Gai Klass Catering (repeatedly voted Best Caterer in Los Angeles by Zagats); The Huntington Museum, Library and Botanical Gardens in Pasadena; and at the prestigious Jonathan Beach Club in Santa Monica.

After more than ten years in Los Angeles, Ford moved to the Monterey Peninsula in 2005, accepting the job as Executive Chef for Bon Appétit Management Company at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. At the Monterey Bay Aquarium he was a celebrated leader in the Seafood Watch program’s initiative of protecting our oceans by cooking only with sustainable seafood. Prior to launching Aqua Terra, Ford held the position of Executive Chef at the renowned Ventana Inn and Spa in Big Sur. There, he oversaw the culinary operations during the reconstruction and opening of the restaurant after the devastating fire of 2008.

 
Ford’s passion for food has consistently received numerous accolades for his culinary talent. He has also been featured in Sunset Magazine, Coastal Living Magazine and many local publications. Recently Ford has made appearances on The Food Network’s BBQ with Bobby Flay, and Rick Browne’s BBQ America. Ford’s abundant culinary experiences have given him the opportunity to further develop his passion for fresh, seasonal food made with the sustainable and organic ingredients which continue to inspire his work.

Today, Ford is the Chef/Owner of Aqua Terra - a company focusing on catering, event planning and menu consulting for the culinary industry.

Mario Mabalot, head of our School Lunch Program, began his career in Monterey as a Sous Chef at Fresh Cream restaurant. During the past 15 years he has honed his culinary skills by working at high end establishments including The Royal Waikoloan Resort Hotel in Waikoloa, Hawaii, Stone Pine Resort in Carmel Valley, CA as well as on the M/S Royal Viking Sun, Kloster Cruise Ltd.   Estevan Jimenez, Chef de Cuisine, brings more than 9 years of kitchen management to the team and is an expert in large volume food production with the highest standards of quality and flavor. Jimenez began his culinary career with a degree from California School of Culinary Arts, Le Cordon Bleu Program.   Allison Cady, Director of Operations, brings 8 years of careful negotiation skills, culinary management experience and front of the house expertise to Aqua Terra. Graduating the top 2% of her class with a Bachelor of Science Degree from Babson College in Wellesley, MA. Cady moved to the Monterey Bay and joined the Bon Appetit Management Company
For the past 9 years, Mabalot was the Executive Chef of the school lunch program at Santa Catalina School in Monterey, California. He has worked at the esteemed Jonathon Beach Club in Santa Monica as Lead Cook, Chef de Cuisine at Bon Appetit Management Company and most recently as Executive Sous Chef at Ventana Inn and Spa in Big Sur. at the Monterey Bay Aquarium in 2004. She was quickly promoted to Catering Manager and is known for creating fabulous and flawless events from beginning to end.