MANAGEMENT BIO'S

Paul Merkle – General Manager

Coming Soon….

Neil Smith – Executive Chef (pictured)

"Food is really just another form of art! A dish should look enticing, stimulate your sense of smell, and satisfy your sense of taste."

Neil Smith, Executive Chef

His career began as an after-school job. Neil Smith started working in a Chinese restaurant in Pagosa Springs, Colorado when he was of barely legal age, only 14 years old. And, as he says, his first duties were "just flopping woks." However, it didn't take long to discover the he had a previously undiscovered "taste" for cooking and loved the kitchen environment. Working up through the ranks, Neil discovered the exciting flavors of the various Asian foods that continue to be reflected in his cuisine after seventeen years. Graduating to Fine Dining, Neil apprenticed under locally celebrated chef, Yale Espoy at Isabel's, before moving to his home state, California. Neil was Banquet Chef under Paul Kwong at Embassy Suites, and Christian Reya at The Gardens of Avila, before Windows lured him to be our Sous Chef in 2002. In 2004, Neil decided to open a catering business, which he successfully co-owned and operated for three years.

In 2007, the opportunity came to assume the Executive Chef's position at Windows on the Water. Chef Neil has brought sparkling new flavors to our menu, and continues to receive great reports from our guests and reviews from the media.

Neil has always been interested in the arts. But, the accidental discovery of a talent for flavors and food pairings has rewarded him with a special career of creating food that stimulates the senses, while appealing to the eye.

How does Chef Neil describe his cuisine? "It's World Cuisine, a melding of all the foods, flavors, and aromas we are privileged to enjoy in California.

What is one of his favorite things to do? Neil loves to taste beer(s). While "wine is fine", he thinks beer selection is an underappreciated "art form" that should be enjoyed more frequently with good food.

What part of the job does Chef Neil enjoy the most? Believe it or not, he loves being "traffic control" in the kitchen on a busy night. And, that's good news for our guests who appreciate timely service. Chef Neil values his kitchen staff immensely and enjoys the familiar camaraderie that goes with a well-trained team.

Christopher Battles – Sommelier / Wine Director

Chris was born in 1963 in Seattle, Washington and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he began his restaurant career at the age of 15. By the age of twenty-three he got into restaurant management, gaining experience at a variety of Bay Area bars and restaurants.

In the summer of 1989, Chris moved to the Central Coast to attend Cal Poly, where he studied for a degree in Forestry and Natural Resources, but by then the restaurant bug had already bitten him, and during school he worked as a bartender, honing his talents for wine appreciation at several local restaurants. Since assuming his duties as Sommelier / Wine Director at Windows on the Water, he has improved an already superb wine program to one recognized by the Wine Spectator with their coveted “Award of Excellence”, bestowed upon restaurants to recognize a wine program of superior quality.

In 2002, he went into partnership at the Morro Bay Wine Seller and now splits his time between the two jobs, evaluating over 200 wines each month for possible placement at the two establishments.

Christopher received his Sommelier Level 2 Certification from the internationally accredited Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) of London, England. The WSET is the foremost international body providing high education in wine and spirits, and offer courses in nine languages and in thirty-eight countries throughout the world.

The organization recently released results from the test given on December 4, 2006 in Shell Beach, CA, which revealed that Mr. Battles “Passed With Distinction” on the examination, placing him in the top 10% of those who sat for the exam.

Everyone here at Windows on the Water Congratulates Chris on achieving this accomplishment and wish him the very best as he continues his education. Congratulations!

Chris is married and lives in Morro Bay with his wife Vickey, where they are raising their two daughters Maya and Caitlyn.

Darrell Janes – Sous Chef

Coming Soon….