Hi, I’m Steve Cassarino, aka Chef Roc. I grew up in Connecticut and moved to San Diego in 1979 after graduating from Johnson & Wales University School of Culinary Arts. My love for food started when I was a young lad following my Italian grandmother around the kitchen. I soon appreciated food that was made from scratch. I knew at an early age I wanted to be in the food business. My 1st job at 16 was at a Hardees Burger joint. Within six months, I was the night manager and on my way to a career in the food business. After high school, I was off to Culinary School, then a big move to San Diego. I loved it then, and I love it now. San Diego is my new home. I love the beach, I love to fish, and I love to have fun. San Diego had it all. I learned from my mother at an early age to always help those in need. My mom would collect leftover bread from the restaurants and bring the bread to the homeless shelters every week. I took up the cause to help others whenever I could. I was on the Board of Directors for Employment and Community Options; we help set up jobs for people with disabilities in California, I was President of the NFL Alumni Motorcycle Club, raising money for the Caring for Kids Charity. I also donated my time and went over to Poland on the Ukraine Border and cooked at World Central Kitchen for the Ukraine Refugees. I also put on a fundraiser event for the House of Ukraine here in San Diego. Since 1984, I’ve been in the TV Business. I create and produce Cooking Shows. My latest series, called The Chef Roc Show, airs on 14 Streamers in 10 countries.
About Chef Roc
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I’ve been married to my beautiful wife Janece for 28 years, and she works at Salk Elementary in Special Ed. We have two boys, Giovanni, age 26, just graduated from UCSB, and Ian, age 24, is studying animation at Palomar College.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I started my West Coast culinary career by working in several restaurants in Del Mar, La Maison Henri, and at Putnam’s in the Colonial Inn in La Jolla in 1980. In 1980, I got offered a job as a chef on a private yacht based in Monte Carlo. It was a chef’s dream job. Cruising the Med and hitting all the Ports of Call. I enjoyed that job for two years. I then moved to Brisbane, Australia, where I worked as a Sous Chef in a hotel for a year. In 1984, I created a business with an old college buddy. We were called The Clever Cleaver Brothers. We were appearing on 125 live TV Shows a year for 25 years. After 28 years, we hung up the apron. I needed a new persona, and Chef Roc was born. I’ve been Chef Roc for the last 13 years, and I’m going strong. I also produce a Podcast on Autism called Brilliance on the Spectrum with our host, Robin Williams. I also produce and host another podcast called Branded with Chef Roc. Check me out at www.ChefRoc.com
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Don’t wait till you’re fifty to start a business, thinking that you will have all the answers. I started my business at 25. Yes, I made lots of mistakes. That’s how you learn. That’s why I’m still in business. My last bit is, to always make room for charity; it’s good for the soul, and you are helping someone in need.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I’m currently working on two huge TV projects that can keep me in production for the next five years. Then I can relax.
Chef Roc & Our Community
Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Best Burgers In N Out by far. Best Burrito Robertos in RB. Happy Hour Food at Karl Strauss Brewery
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I’ve been in 4S Ranch for 12 years
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Chad Berkey, World Famous Flair Bartender and owner of the Cordova Bar.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Mayweather Boxing & Fitness It brings back memories of when I was an amateur boxer in my College years.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love the design of the housing with the parks and hiking trails.
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
I would choose Muhammad Ali. I would make lunch for him myself. No offense to the local restaurants.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Interstellar and the 1st Rocky movie, and Planet of the Apes.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
That I call my brother Dave on the East Coast every day.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My wife, Janece. She is the toughest person I’ve ever met. I fought cancer and kicked its butt. We are now celebrating 22 years cancer-free.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My son Ian. He is on the Asperger’s Spectrum and has had to overcome many obstacles in his life. He is currently inspiring me every day as he sets goals and achieves them on his own.
Q: What community organizations and/or local nonprofits do you admire/support?
Currently, I’m supporting a Ukraine Refugee Center in Poland.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I ever got was from my Mom, “Be tough” and follow your gut”
Q: What Neighborhood do you live in?
4S Ranch
What I love about my Neighborhood:
The parks and the beauty of the rolling hills.
Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend:
Hiking with the North County Hash Group of friends every Saturday. We are a “drinking group, with a running problem”.
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Peace, security, and love!
