Diane Forley and Michael Otsuka
Chefs Diane Forley and Michael Otsuka share a career of professional cooking and rigorous training grounded in families marked by diverse cultural experiences and cooking sensibilities - Diane's in Egypt, Guatemala, and Hungary and Michael's in the eclectic traditions of Japanese-American and Viennese-Jewish cultures. Each credits the wide-ranging meals at their childhood family tables with fostering an early appreciation for the art of mixing flavors and ingredients.
Diane and Michael began their training with a group of notable chefs. In New York, Diane worked for Alfred Portale and David Burke. In Los Angeles, Michael worked for Joachim Splichal and Claude Segal. Both Diane and Michael continued their training in France under master chefs Michel Bras, Jacques Maximin, Gaston LeNotre, and Michel Guerard.
As chefs, Diane and Michael pursued independent careers. Michael served as executive chef of several kitchens, most notably Patina in Los Angeles and Thalia in Manhattan's theatre district.
Diane opened her first restaurant, Verbena in New York City as chef-proprietor followed by Bar Demi, an elegant wine bar that featured an exceptional seventy half-bottle wine list. After marrying, Diane and Michael joined forces at Verbena while Diane completed her acclaimed cookbook, Anatomy of a Dish. Her work featured a collection of recipes developed out of Verbena and structured around Diane's interest in combining flavors through underlying botanical relationships.
After nine years running Verbena, Diane and Michael spent several years in California, first in Ojai and then in San Francisco. In Ojai, Michael served as executive chef at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa. Diane worked as a culinary consultant to the hotel developing food products for their boutique. In San Francisco, Michael led the kitchen at the Lark Creek Inn in Marin County.
In 2007 Diane, Michael and family moved back to New York. Combining their passion for both cooking and baking, Diane and Michael launched their new venture, FLOURISH BAKING COMPANY, September of 2009.
Link to www.dianeforley.com
