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Factsheet

• Though he considers himself a "California kid," was actually born in Ohio, moving with his family to Whittier, Cal. at six months of age.
• First "taste" of the food business was as a 10-year-old, when he began selling pretzels from a three-wheeled bicycle cart called "The Awesome Pretzel," which he built with his father. 
• Known for his vibrant and spicy dishes. Surprisingly, his parents raised him on a relatively bland macrobiotic diet, frequently featuring bulgur and steamed fish.
• Opened his first restaurant, Johnny Garlic's, in 1996 with his partner, Steve Gruber.
• Won Food Network's second season of Next Food Network Star in 2006. 
• Traveled to the Persian Gulf in 2007 as a guest of the U.S. Navy to entertain and cook for the troops.