Steve LaCount, CEC, AAC

A Boston native, Executive Chef/owner Steve LaCount began his career in the restaurant business at the age of fourteen at The Country Club in Brookline, MA. Steve worked there under six talented chefs, gaining knowledge in Italian and French cooking techniques before becoming the youngest person appointed to that position in 1983. He held this coveted position for over twenty years until deciding with his wife Michelle to open Chiara. Steve was also an adjunct professor at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Management, and did private  consultations for restaurants and recipe development for food companies.

In addition to his training in European cooking at the club, Steve continued studies of his craft abroad with work study programs in France, Italy and Switzerland.  A graduate of Boston Latin School, Steve also pursued a business degree from Bentley College while working at the club, graduating with honors.

Steve constantly focused on continuing education, enrolling in many classes and seminars related to the study of food and wine. He joined the American Culinary Federation’s (ACF) local chapters the Mass. Chefs de Cuisine and the Epicurean Club of Boston, where he became involved as a member of the Board of Directors for both chapters. As an ACF member, Steve studied for and received his designations of CEC (Certified Executive Chef) and AAC (American Academy of Chefs – the ACF’s honor society), was invited to become a member of Les Amis d’Escoffier Society, and began to accumulate medals at culinary competitions. He was elected the last chapter President of The Mass. Chefs and was elected President of the Epicurean Club of Boston after the merger of the two chapters. As President of this revitalized professional chefs’ organization, Steve formed a merger with a third chapter – the ACF Greater Boston Chefs, to form one of the nation’s largest and most active chapters of the ACF. He received Chef of the Year awards from both the Mass Chefs and the Epicurean Club in 1994 and 1999 respectively, and also received a chapter President’s Medallion from the Epicurean Club of Boston.

Under Steve’s leadership, the Epicurean Club focused on programs that benefited the continuing education of chefs, established a junior members’ culinary competition team that medaled annually, provided thousands of dollars for culinary scholarships, and established an annual golf tournament that yielded substantial profits toward children’s charities. During his terms, the chapter received two ACF’s Gold Plate Chapter Awards and the National Chapter of the Year Award in 2000. Steve was also recognized nationally for his efforts at the 2000 ACF convention with a National President’s Medallion. He has also been a nominee for regional Chef of the Year and for the Chef’s Professionalism Award.

Steve lives in Norwood, MA, and he and Michelle have two daughters Kristen and Patricia, both graduates of Johnson & Wales University. Kristen is the Clubhouse Manager at The Country Club. Patricia assisted in the opening of Chiara in December of 2005 as the Director of Beverage and Assistant Restaurant Manager and currently lives and works in Manhattan continuing her career in the restaurant industry.

Contact: Steve@chiarabistro.com

Bret Anthony Pelaggi

Bret Pelaggi from Norwood, MA is a Graduate of the New England Culinary Institute in Vermont.  Bret was an intern at The Country Club in Brookline where he worked and learned his basic cooking skills with Chef LaCount.

Bret also did an internship in Garmish, Germany.  He has worked at L'Espalier for Frank Mc Clelland, James Beard Winner, then moved on to open King Fish Hall with Todd English, another James Beard Winner.   During his four and one half year tenure there he was promoted to Sous Chef and was selected as culinary trainer for the new Olive Group restaurants in Seattle, Orlando and Boston.

Bret then moved on to help open Sibling Rivalry as Sous Chef, working for one year with Bob Kinkead, James Beard Winner, and his brother David Kinkead.  When Bret heard that Chef LaCount was to open Chiara, he left Sibling to reunite with him in his new venture.

Bret enjoys his cat, Sage; spending time with his girlfriend Michelle and watching sports like hockey and football.

Contact: Bret@chiarabistro.com