• "From the time I could pick up a pencil my first passion was art. If I wasn’t inspired that way, I would create, and that’s what I’ve been doing ever since. Whether I’m swinging a hammer, or preparing bouillabaisse, knowing my creation puts a little joy in someone’s life makes it all worthwhile. Constructing food and shelter are the two consistent threads woven throughout my career, and life’s journey. My experience as a chef and carpenter reflects this."

    - David Coughlin

David's Resume (PDF)

FOOD

1992 - Present

Highlights
Boston, MA - San Francisco, CA

Worked under Gordon Hamersley as Garde Manger at Hamersley’s bistro. Bostonian Hotel, Rounds Cook with chefs Peter McCarthy and Tony Ambrose. Sous Chef, Hyde Street Bistro (voted best French Bistro in the Bay Area – 3 years in a row, by SF Weekly) under Chef Fabrice Marcon. Charles, Nob hill with Chef Melissa Perello, The Elite Cafe, Bistro AIX, Chef at Dopo, Oakland.

2015 - 2016

Lawrence’s Meats (butcher shop) , Grill Chef
Alamo, CA

Responsible for grilled items during a busy lunch atmosphere with high quality house butchered items. Parlayed my B-Side BBQ experience to the outdoor grill at this iconic East Bay butcher shop. People would wait in line for hours to get a taste of my grilled ribeye, NY steak, grilled house ground burgers and sausage. I also got a lot of high praise for my grilled marinated chicken, pork sandwiches and tasty sides.

2013 - 2015

B-Side BBQ
Oakland, CA

Pitmaster and production chef, responsible for lighting a 7 tiered revolving smoker which was loaded from the back using coal, hickory and applewood. St. Luis and baby back ribs with house rub. Beef brisket brined and rubbed. Brined and house rubbed chicken, written up in Sunset Magazine and voted best BBQ in the Bay. Prepared and seasoned meats according to the recipes developed by “Top Chef” restauranteur, Tanya Holland. Operated, maintained, cleaned smoker. Ordered a variety of meats and ingredients weekly, making recommendations and decisions on costs and pricing. Interacted with restaurant staff and customers to ensure timely and efficient service.

2005 - 2009

Google, Lead Line Cook
Mountain View, San Francisco, CA

 Planned and executed menus for a tech campus of 2,000 employees, overseeing the day-to-day operations of kitchen staff. Worked as lead line cook at a Google cafe in Mountainview. Responsible for Meat, Poultry and fish as well two to three sides. Worked at cafe located in sales office in SF. Lead meat and fish cook and lead vegetable and veg. sides. In the four years and in both cafes I was instrumental in planning menus, executing and training line cooks. Responsible for monitoring food waste. Had access to exotic and different international foods such as Ostrich and Buffalo. Much of the menus were themed based.

SHELTER

Dec 2016 - Present

Highlights
Boston, MA - San Francisco, CA

As a carpenter for Works by Jesse D, Beverley Ma. I repaired a church spire replacing siding and trim, and rebuilt a deck. BRP Construction, Portsmouth, NH. The company was brought in to repair and provide maintenance from poor framing and negligence to luxury downtown condominium and commercial space, including demo, reframing, sheetrock, and water mitigation. I also worked many side jobs doing carpentry, landscape design, and masonry.

Dec 2021 - Sept 2022

 Ruggieri & Company, Carpenter/Finisher
Danville, CA

Custom remodeling and additions. Kitchen and bathroom remodeling. Demo, excavation, rebar, form and concrete. Framing. Stucco removal and repair. Sheetrock, taping, mudding, floating and texturizing, flooring, cutting and setting tile for bathrooms. Caulking and painting. Baseboard, crown moulding. Roof repair and roofing.

Apr 2016 - Nov 2021

Geranen Inc., Carpenter Finisher
Danville, CA

Custom remodels and additions. Kitchen and bathroom remodels. Demo, excavation, rebar, form and concrete. Framing, water mitigation, siding. Built and installed custom woodwork, including built-in shelving units and trim work around custom premium kitchen appliances. Installed baseboards, crown molding, custom windows, and doors. Sheetrock, painting, floor sanding, and staining. Roof repairs and clay tile roofing. Retaining walls. Renovated a 65 year old horse barn with pine siding and wrapped beams. Stained and painted also installed the iron work for stalls.

Education

AA Culinary Arts, Newbury College, Massachusetts