Full name: David Wayne Tiner
Title: Co- Director/Chef Instructor
Company: Louisiana Culinary Institute
Age: 41
Hometown: Pine Grove, LA
Why do you do what you do?
I love being a chef and passing on the knowledge I have learned to future chefs.
What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
My greatest professional accomplishment would be earning the Executive Chef certification from the American Culinary Federation. This was my goal when I decided to attend culinary school many years ago.
What was your first job?
Running the fryers at Mrs. Winners Chicken and Biscuits.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Work smart not hard and always do your best.
Who do you most admire in the local business community and why?
Mr. Keith Rush for opening the culinary school and giving our students a chance to succeed.
If you could have any job other than your own, what would it be?
I would love to be a Louisiana State Trooper if I had to do something else. I was in law enforcement before I decided to attend culinary school.
What is the greatest personal or professional obstacle you’ve overcome?
Learning to be patient in the kitchen and realize that everyone will not do things exactly as I do them.
If you started over, what would you do differently?
Travel the world and learning.
What is your prescription for life?
Laughter, you have to be able to laugh at yourself and not take things so seriously.
What book are you currently reading?
The Bible.
If you could have dinner with any three living people, who would they be? (Authors? Leaders?)
Jacques Pepin, Erwin Lutzer and Tina Fey.
Who would play you in a movie?
Jim Carrey
What do you do to unwind?
Play the Wii
What is the most expensive purchase you’ve made for yourself?
A truck.
What is your favorite weekend activity?
Cutting wood, I love a chainsaw.
What’s your theme song?
“Don’t Worry Be Happy”
What’s your favorite spot in Baton Rouge?
Downtown overlooking the river.
How do you take your coffee/tea?
Sweet n’ low with cream, and very strong.
What is your favorite movie? TV show? Band?
Blazing Saddles, NCIS, Led Zeppelin
What is your favorite gadget?
iPod
What is something that you can’t live without?
I don’t know that there is anything.
If you could change one thing about Baton Rouge, what would it be?
The traffic.
What is your greatest hope for Baton Rouge?
Becoming a city known for its culinary talents.
What is your greatest fear for Baton Rouge?
Allowing politics to stand in the way of hopes and dreams.
