Jeffreys 1204 West Lynn Street Austin, TX Phone: 512-477-5584 Fax:512-474-7279   WELCOME|MENU|CHEF|RECIPES|MAP Executive Chef Alma Alcocer-Thomas Alma Alcocer-Thomas has been named the executive chef at Jeffrey’s. Although you might say that she’s arrived at the head of a table that she began setting long ago. The passionate, hard-working chef decided when she was just 15 that she wanted to train at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. After graduating from High School in Mexico City, she spent a year in boarding school in Switzerland, where she learned to speak French. After training at Le Cordon Bleu, she spent two years cooking in Paris, deepening her food and wine education. At 19, she returned to Mexico City, and eventually moved to Austin to pursue her dream. Alcocer-Thomas attributes her love of fresh, seasonal ingredients to the simple food that she enjoyed as a kid growing up in Mexico City. “My family’s heritage, and focus on good food is a big influence in my cooking. There were always home-cooked meals and fresh vegetables in the house. My parents eat healthy, simple food. As a result, I grew up feasting on dishes that were both earthy and sophisticated like favada, a cassoulet-like dish of chorizo and white beans. I can’t imagine having a diet without great variety.” These parallel but disparate influences—refined French training and Mexican home cooking, along with 12 years of tutelage under Jeffrey’s former executive chef David Garrido, result in soulful, richly-flavored and utterly refined dishes. In Mexico City, Alcocer-Thomas interned in a French restaurant and developed a small catering clientele until she moved to Austin in 1989. There she partnered with a Colombian friend to form a successful catering business, “What’s for Dinner.” She joined Jeffrey’s in 1994, and quickly ascended the ranks to become chef de cuisine. Over the years, she and Garrido have worked together to maintain the long and acclaimed tradition of innovative cooking at Jeffrey’s. It’s a tradition she plans to continue. “When you move up and take the helm of a restaurant like Jeffrey’s, you are charged with giving customers a reason to return. You need to preserve the heritage that comes along with the restaurant.” Alma is already a familiar face in the Texas culinary landscape. She’s been a participant in Share Our Strength (SOS) throughout the last 10 years and looks forward to continuing her partnership with the chefs and benefits that support the rich culinary landscape and community. WELCOME|MENU|CHEF|RECIPES|MAP © 2004-2007 Feeding Frenzy, Inc™ All Rights Reserved. For a truly unforgettable dining experience, visit Jeffreys and remember to use your American Express Card.