User:Howtojimmyk/sandbox/Andrew Gruel

Andrew Gruel (born July 12, 1980) is an American chef and TV personality, based in Orange County, California. He is a judge on Food Network’s Food Truck Face Off, Host of FYI's Say It To My Face, and the Founder and Executive Chef of Slapfish Restaurant, a sustainable seafood franchise based out of Huntington Beach, CA.

Early Life and Education
Gruel is originally from New Jersey and his affinity towards cooking started at an early age where his first memory of becoming a chef came when making popcorn with his dad at the age of three. He would fake sick to watch cooking shows on Public Access TV. He received his culinary degree and graduated summa cum-laude from Johnson & Wales University.

Career
Gruel started in his career working in fine dining restaurants, hotels and diners. He worked in lobster restaurants in Maine while attending Bates College, in Lewiston, Maine. He left New Jersey for California to manage the “Seafood for the Future” program at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Through his interactions with fisherman and chefs at the aquarium program, he realized the need for high-quality, chef-driven sustainable seafood.

In May, 2011 Andrew Gruel started the food truck Slapfish in the Huntington Beach area. In April, 2012 Gruel converted the food truck concept into Slapfish’s first brick and mortar location. In January 2013 Gruel along with Fransmart launched Slapfish’s franchise program and have since opened multiple stores.

TV Appearances
Say It To My Face - Host

Food Truck Face Off – Judge

The Today Show – Guest

On the Rocks – Consulting Chef

Eat St. – Showcase

Cathy Thomas Cooks – Guest

SoCal Restaurant Show – Guest Host

Personal Life
He is married and a father of two. His favorite recipe of all time is lasagna due to its mechanics. On his days off, he enjoys going to the zoo with his wife and kids.

Awards/Honors/Whatever else that I can link to
Top 40 under 40 Entrepreneurs in Orange County – OC Metro