| ABOUT
ACACIA
Chef Dale Reitzer began his
cooking career in 1982. After graduating from Johnson and
Wales University in 1989, he became Chef of Alexander's in
the Ghent area of Norfolk, VA.
Feeling the need to continue
his education and training, Dale accepted a position as Sous-Chef
for Jimmy Sneed at Windows on Urbanna Creek in 1990. During
the winter months Dale did short stints at such nationally-acclaimed
restaurants as Patina in Los Angeles for Chef Joachim Splichal,
refining his skills by learning from the masters.
In 1993, Dale followed Jimmy
Sneed to Richmond to become Chef de Cuisine at the Frog and
the Redneck. Dale was an integral part of building the restaurant's
national reputation. While at the Frog & Redneck, Dale
met his future wife and business partner, Aline Peake.
In 1996 Dale, his fiancée Aline
and their dog Acacia moved to Atlanta where the opportunity
of a lifetime awaited with Chef Gunther Seeger at the Ritz-Carlton,
Buckhead. In this five-star, five-diamond setting, Dale put
the finishing polish on his education. Returning once again
to Richmond in 1998, Dale and his now-wife Aline opened Acacia.
In 1999, Food & Wine
magazine named Dale one of the "Best New Chefs of America"
(read
review)
Dale has also participated
with many charity benefits such as Hospice Support Care of
Williamsburg, Meals on Wheels, March of Dimes and Eyes on
Richmond. He has collaborated with the Virginia Department
of Agriculture, Virginia Marine Institute and the Virginia
Apple Association to promote local Virginia products. Dale
has also participated in fun events such as Food and Wine's
Camp Jeep and a Guest Chef luncheon held at Barboursville
Winery to contribute to the Richmond and surrounding community
and to promote Virginia foods.
In addition, he has also been
featured in Food Arts in the featured chef ad campaign
to promote VitaMix®. Several of his recipes are featured in
Cooking Fresh from the Mid-Atlantic, published
during the Summer of 2002.
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