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 Gail Smith is a professional self-taught chef with more that 17 years experience in cooking and restaurant management.
Her cuisine is upscale comfort food using the finest ingredients and local when possible. Always absorbed in fresh new ideas, her dedication, strong passion and bubbly energy put Almost Home on the map locally and regionally.
"Having a restaurant in the community has been very rewarding. Although very hard work it is a pleasure to be able to offer something that people enjoy", says Gail.
Gail has two sons, Mike and Brian, of whom she is very proud. In turn they are as equally proud of “mom” and continue to be great help and support when she calls on them. She loves boating when she has the rare occasion to go and is an avid Chicago Cubs Fan attending as many ball games as possible.
Success at Almost Home has spread to a new venture for Gail at the Putnam County Airport. Taking over the restaurant and changing the name to Final Approach Bistro it has become a popular eating establishment. With the success in acquiring the finest Chef’s and staff in the area to operate both locations you owe it to yourself to experience the results.
Career accomplishments include:
- One of 10 finalists in RICHS “Sweet and Simple” dessert contest, sponsored by The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY in 2001. Winning Dessert: Strawberry Pizza
- Winner of the “People’s Choice Award” at the Taste of Indiana in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1999, 2000, 2001. Best Dessert in 1999.
- Awarded a week internship with Kathy Cary of Lillys in Louisville, Kentucky, who is a four-time James Beard Nominee for Best Chef in the Southeast.
- Published a cookbook titled “ A Collection of Recipes from Almost Home.”
As a member of Women’s Chefs and Restaurateurs, she has had the opportunity to network and gain knowledge from some of the best chefs and restaurateurs in the food industry. Enjoying travels and cuisines from Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Atlanta and New York, she has applied the vision and passion for food. |
