Chef Info

The allure of earning a livelihood as a professional chef beckoned to Zachary Dallessandro at an early age. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1972, the budding chef attended and graduated from Sullivan University in Louisville, Kentucky in 1993 with dual associate degrees in Culinary arts and Baking and Pastry. One of the nation’s top culinary schools, Chef Dallessandro had the distinct honor of serving as a Culinary Team member representing his class in national culinary competitions.

He donned an apron in a working kitchen for the first time at the Cheddar’s restaurant in Indianapolis, Indiana at the age of sixteen. For a year, he learned the basic cooking and leadership skills it takes to run a high volume foodservice operation.

Determined to continue fine-tuning his management and operation skills, Chef Dallessandro moved to Louisville, Kentucky and began working at Hunting Creek Country Club. Shortly after taking on a role of lead cook, the club shut down for renovation.

Following his stint at Hunting Creek Country Club, Chef Dallessandro continued to build a diverse knowledge base within the realm of hospitality by seizing the opportunity to work at Camberley’s Brown Hotel, in Louisville, Ky. Toiling in the only 4 Star 4 Diamond hotel in the state, Chef Dallessandro broadened his experience in the field by cultivating the culinary staff, creating daily specials and overseeing The English Grill. Which was given the award for the city’s best fine dining restaurant for two years in a row.

Continuing the growth of his culinary career, Chef Dallessandro relocated to Abingdon, Virginia to take on the role of specialty chef at another Camberley owned hotel, the Martha Washington Inn. For a year, he ran and operated the fine dining restaurant and a private dining room which fed the city’s elite. Creating special multi course meals daily.

Subsequently, Chef Dallessandro embarked upon his next culinary adventure in 1997, taking on the role of Banquet Chef at Meridian Hills Country Club, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Rated as one of the top 10 clubs in the country, Chef Dallessandro trained, for just under two years, under Chef Alex Darvishi, a member of the United States Culinary Olympic Team.

Eager to continue his thirst for knowledge and to get back into fine dining, Chef Dallessandro left the country club scene, and embarked on the next stage of his career, as the Executive Sous Chef at Something Different restaurant in Indianapolis, Indiana. Something Different restaurant was a nationally recognized establishment which was adorned as the number one fine dining restaurant in the city for two years in a row. In addition to the dining room, he created special seven or ten course menus daily for celebrities and the elite.

In 2001, the talented chef’s career path ultimately led him to White Lodging Services Corporation’s Indianapolis Marriott Downtown property where he assumed the role of First Cook at Circle City Bar & Grille. Advancement quickly ZACHARY DALLESSANDRO