Fresno County Women's Chamber of Commerce Featured Speaker:
November 2005
James Overbaugh - Executive Chef
Chef James Overbaugh spent childhood summers in the vast gardens of his grandfather, a horticulturist, who believed that vegetables are not fresh unless picked just before reaching the table. Today, Chef Overbaugh brings his passion for the freshest ingredients, together with an approach to cooking that draws on his travel experience, culinary curiosity and eighteen years of manning the stove.
Chef Overbaugh's career began with an after school job at a local restaurant kitchen at the age of 15. He knew he found his calling. Upon graduation from high school, he entered the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Upon receipt of his diploma in 1989, he remained in Massachusetts to continue his training under three immigrant chefs. By 1992, he was awarded the position of Executive Sous Chef of the Stonehedge Inn in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, and in November of that year he became the property's youngest ever Executive Chef. Three years later, he was invited to join a renowned California restaurant, Erna's Elderberry House, on the property of Relais & Châteaux, ExxonMobil 5-Star hotel, Château du Sureau in Oakhurst. Under his direction, the Elderberry House Kitchen maintained the AAA 5-Diamond award and was honored by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine. Chef Overbaugh's food was quoted "absolutely amazing" and its reader poll gave his kitchen a perfect score of 100 in the January 2001 edition. With over 750 hours of instruction under his toque, Chef Overbaugh is also an accomplished teacher. In February 2001, the Travel Channel's "Best of" series featured the classes he taught at the Elderberry House as the seventh best way to live out your fantasy vacation.
In April 2001, Chef Overbaugh accepted the offer of Executive Chef for New Orleans' 324 room Windsor Court Hotel. Under his leadership the hotel's famous Grill Room Restaurant received many accolades, including New Orleans' Where Magazine's designation as the city's best fine dining restaurant. Chef Overbaugh has twice been featured chef at the James Beard House in New York.
2003 turned out to be a year of destiny for both Chef James Overbaugh and Erna Kubin-Clanin. After two years at the Windsor Court Hotel, Chef James Overbaugh returned to the Estate in charge its culinary program which is now also Relais Gourmand designated.
Executive Chef James Overbaugh's food is truly stupendous. The dishes of his nightly changing six-course menu burst with flavors and creativity, much to the delight of the guests and owner Erna Kubin-Clanin.
