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 Derek Dickenson |
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Derek Dickenson
Derek Dickenson is proprietor of Derek's restaurant and Dickenson West Fine Catering, both located in Pasadena, California.
Dickenson, a native of Waterford, Ireland, discovered his passion for fine cuisine in his early teens when he worked after school and during summers in the local fine dining establishments. At 21, after two years of Business School in Basil, Switzerland, Dickenson decided to follow his true calling and moved to London to pursue a career in the restaurant business. He received classic training under the close watch of proprietors at such landmark European restaurants as the Waterside Inn, La Gavroche and the Interlude. In 1983, he moved to Pasadena, California and became manager of the revered La Couronne.
After four years at La Couronne, Dickenson decided to take on the challenge of running his own catering business. Armed with the skills to create a moveable feast for four to 4,000, Derek established DDC, Inc. Fine Catering a high-end catering business with clients spread between Beverly Hills and San Marino.
In 1995, he teamed up with former La Couronne associate Barbara West to form Dickenson West Fine Catering. At the urging of clients, they opened up a small dining room off the kitchen for lunch and dinner a few selected days a week. The popularity of the in-house dining rapidly grew and led to the 1996 opening of Dickenson West Cafe & Bistro.
"Dickenson West grew out of my enjoyment for offering clients and friends an extraordinary dining experience within the confines of our own casually elegant restaurant," says Dickenson. "The bistro offered clients and friends traditional French cuisine prepared with our own California flair as well as an award-winning wine list and full bar to complement the dining experience."
In September 1998, Dickenson took over the restaurant and catering operation closing the bistro's doors. In September 1998 Derek's opened its doors as a newly refurbished restaurant that serves California contemporary cuisine.
Dickenson resides in Pasadena, California. What little time is left from his restaurant and catering business is spent in the renovation of his classic Spanish Mediterranean home and garden.
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"Dickenson West grew out of my enjoyment for offering clients and friends an extraordinary dining experience" |
 
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