Today we’d like to introduce you to Andreas Kotsifos. Them and their team share their story with us below:
ANDREAS KOTSIFOS – GM/Executive Chef Born in Crete, an island in the south part of Greece, moved to Athens at the age of 8.
Declared, very early, as a perfectionist, he made his leadership skills and creativity talents obvious. In the University of Patras and then Athens, he took physics but after the first three years, he switched to the hospitality and restaurant field inspired by his mother who was managing the kitchen of a major pharmaceutical corp. in Athens with over 900 employees.
After graduation, chef Andreas worked in Athens, then curious about other cuisines, travelled to Barcelona, Florence, Rome and Paris till finally in 1991 he immigrated to New York where he participated in an Italian restaurant in Astoria, Queens. In 1995 he got involved with “Greek Island Taverna” in Great Neck Long Island and in 1996 he moved to Manhattan where he worked with chef Natale at “Julian’s” on 9th ave. Soon after, he opened his new restaurant “Café Inferno” on 8th ave & 18th street where he developed a Californian-Mediterranean cuisine with the help of Executive Chef Paul Ripley.
Right after the 9/11 disaster he moved to Bethlehem PA, taking over the “Palace Restaurant” and in 2002 he came to FL to open the “Stone Grill” steakhouse in Stuart. In 2005 he became the Executive Chef at the “Island Palm” restaurant in Palm beach and in February 2008 he partnered with William Cooley to open “The Palm Beach Steakhouse”.
In august 2012 the team from “Meat Market Miami” bought the steakhouse together with the real estate and chef Andreas started consulting for two Tapas restaurants developing the new “small plates” concept he loved during his stay in Barcelona. Family reasons brought him to Dallas, TX in April 2013 where he assumed the position of the Executive Chef at “The Palm Restaurant”.
Years later, in 2018 he moved to Corsicana where he purchased the “Across the Street Diner” and “Across the Street Bistro” together with the real estate transforming them into destination spots for locals and visitors from all over the State of Texas as well as travelers from many other states, achieving the Travellers Choice Award from Tripadvisor for 2020. His career record of over 45 years demonstrates a solid understanding of the industry. He has had many appearances on several TV shows, radio, charity events and more where his charisma, passion for food and dining experience was evident. His “cooking with love” attitude was getting the utmost attention and respect.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It’s been nothing short of smooth. Being in so many different countries I had to deal with cultural, language and mentality issues. Nothing bad but challenging, something I always welcome in my life. I like taking risks and tough tasks draw me instantly. After all, like Alexander the Great did, if I cannot untie the knot, I cut through it. I have been a semi-professional soccer player and a Shotokan karate instructor, something that kept me going without being tired as I age.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I consider myself an artist although I like to keep it simple.
Currently with the help of some great friends/investors he is taking on two new projects: A high end “Andreas Steakhouse” in Allen Texas with an estimated opening March 2022 and an almost identical steakhouse in Waxahachie Texas looking for opening on September 2022
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I never thought I would be a chef when I was young. It hit me all of the sudden while in college studying to become a nuclear scientist (that was my dream). I dropped out on my third year and here I am! Another strange thing is that I was feeling very weird around dogs and pets in general. If you would have told me that I would end up having dogs sleeping on my bed, I would call you crazy. Well, I end up having three sweet Malteses controlling my life and you can blame my wife heather for that, but I love it!
Contact Info:
- Email: andreas@andreasbistro.com
- Website: acrossthestreetbistro.com, andreassteakhouse.com
