Chef Alfie Szeprethy, Executive Chef of Sammy’s and Toasted Gastrobrunch + Dinner in Oceanside, received countywide recognition as San Diego’s Chef of the Year at the recent Gold Medallion Awards (June 13), an event hosted by the San Diego Chapter of the California Restaurant Association. Each year, this premier industry event brings together an audience of San Diego’s most prominent restaurateurs to celebrate culinary excellence. The event is now in its 38th year. This momentous title places him in company with the best chefs in San Diego, which is increasingly becoming an impressive food lovers destination. After graduating from the Art Institute in San Diego with a B.A. in Culinary Arts and Management, Chef Alfie has worked his way to the top. He manages all 15 kitchens under the Sammy’s Restaurants and Toasted Gastrobrunch umbrella. He has experience in many different cuisines, starting in this company as the Chef at Roppongi, a top-Zagat rated Asian Fusion restaurant. From there, he became the Corporate Chef for Sammy’s whose menu combines California Cuisine with some Mediterranean influences. He also opened Pisco, a Peruvian restaurant prior to turning to brunch at Toasted Gastrobrunch, which was ranked Toasted Gastrobrunch as the #22 top Brunch restaurant in the US out of 100, according to Yelp. In the announcement sent out by Sami Ladeki, he states, “Chef Alfie has been with us for 10 years and we couldn’t be prouder of him and the passion he has shown. Quite frankly, I didn’t see it in the beginning, but was told by someone in the organization that I needed to pay attention to him because he was a ‘Diamond in the Rough’. They were correct, and I am lucky to have him working side by side with me to put my culinary wishes on the plate. Not only is he talented and creative, but he is also a leader and has the respect of all who work from him.” Sammy’s San Diego locations include: La Jolla, Del Mar, San Marcos, Scripps Ranch, La Mesa, Mission Valley, and at Sammy’s inside Seven Mile Casino in Chula Vista, and Toasted Gastrobrunch is in Oceanside. There are also two Sammy’s and two Toasteds in the Las Vegas area. To visit or for more information on Sammy’s and Toasted, visit www.sammyspizza.com and www.toastedgastrobrunch.com.