Chef Sam Diminich
— EXECUTIVE CHEF & OWNER OF YOUR FARMS YOUR TABLE
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Cooking has been in Chef Sam Diminich’s lineage for three generations.
Originally from Myrtle Beach, Diminich grew up in the restaurants of both his father and grandfather, who came to the US from Italy at age 16 – a classic immigrant story of seeking opportunity in America. After working his way up the ranks in his family’s restaurants and training with other local chefs, Diminich attended the Culinary Institute of America where he graduated with a degree in Culinary Arts.
After graduation, Diminich trained under Chef and Owner Georges Perrier at Le Bec Fin in Philadelphia. He then headed back to the South where he was Sous Chef at BLT Steak in the Ritz Carlton Charlotte. He later worked under Executive Chef Raffaele Dall’Erta at The Hampton’s Restaurant in Sumter, SC, and most recently was Executive Chef of Upstream Restaurant in the SouthPark area of Charlotte. In 2020 Sam appeared on Beat Bobby Flay on the Food Network, taking down the legendary Chef in an epic ‘battle’ of Lobster Risotto.
Chef Diminich is wildly passionate about working with local ingredients. His approach to food is to honor the ingredients by using sound techniques with a balance of flavors and textures and by blending traditional and contemporary flavors. His goal is to prepare food that brings a celebratory influence to the meal experience as the centerpiece in the story of our lives with our friends and family.
CO-LEADER OF THE CHARLOTTE CHAPTER OF BEN’S FRIENDS
Sam is very open about his sobriety and has found sustaining purpose in sharing his experience as a way of helping others with similar journeys. He is co-leader of the Charlotte chapter of Ben’s Friends, a support group offering hope, fellowship, and path forward to those food and beverage professionals who struggle with addiction and alcoholism
