Chef Sam F

Born and raised in Burlington, North Carolina, Chef Sam learned early on that food is more than a meal — it’s a love language.

“Nothing beats the feeling of watching someone light up after the first bite.”

Growing up surrounded by Southern comfort food, Sam’s passion for cooking was cemented during his high school years, where countless hours spent watching the Food Network made one thing clear: culinary school was the next step.

There, Chef Sam trained in classical French techniques and discovered a deep love for international cuisine, with Italian and Mexican flavors quickly becoming personal favorites. That curiosity and technical foundation followed him through years of work in restaurants, country clubs, and bakeries, where one thing has remained constant — the joy of serving food that makes people smile.

Recently, Chef Sam relocated to New Jersey with his wife Lauren, their daughter Leona, and their two dogs, Wallie and Berkley. While the pace is different from the South, Sam has embraced the change wholeheartedly and is always excited by a new challenge.

Travel plays a huge role in Chef Sam’s life, and every family trip starts the same way: researching the best places to eat. From hole-in-the-wall local favorites to Michelin-starred legends, Sam is a food tourist at heart. Italy, Spain, and Norway sit at the top of his culinary bucket list — destinations he hopes to experience not just as a traveler, but as a student of food.

Always curious, always learning, and endlessly inspired by other chefs, Chef Sam brings heart, technique, and global influence to every dish he creates.

Fun Facts:

• Favorite cuisines to cook: Italian & Mexican
• Food philosophy: Food should make people smile
• Dream travel destinations: Italy, Spain, Norway
• Off-duty passion: Finding the best restaurants wherever life takes him
• Home crew: Wife Lauren, daughter Leona, and pups Wallie & Berkley