David Fricaud

09/01/2025

🌊 Exciting Career Opportunities at Hotel Oceana – Santa Monica 🌊

We’re thrilled to announce the opening of La Monique, our brand-new restaurant at the beautiful Hotel Oceana Santa Monica (Hilton), just steps away from the beach. This is more than a restaurant—it’s a culinary experience blending French elegance with California soul.

To bring this vision to life, we are building a full team of passionate hospitality professionals. If you thrive in a dynamic environment, love working with fresh, seasonal ingredients, and want to be part of something special from the very beginning, we’d love to meet you!

✨ Now Hiring Across All Positions:
• Back of House: Line Cooks, Prep Cooks, Pastry Chefs, Dishwashers
• Front of House: Servers, Hosts, Bartenders, Bussers, Runners
• Leadership: Sous Chefs, Supervisors, Managers

💡 Why join us?
• Be part of an opening team shaping the identity of a new destination restaurant.
• Work alongside passionate chefs and hospitality leaders.
• Enjoy a boutique hotel environment with a global Hilton network.
• Grow with a team that values creativity, collaboration, and excellence.

📍 Location: Oceana Hotel, Santa Monica – steps from the Pacific Ocean.
📩 Apply here:

https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs?clientkey=DB65BCA695A23767A8A0F25385EAD32D #

08/29/2025

🚨 We’re Hiring in Santa Monica! 🚨

Next Friday, September 5th, the Oceana Hotel is hosting a Job Fair for the opening of La Monique 🌊✨.

We have lots of positions available — from front of house to kitchen! Whether you’re a cook, bartender, sommelier, or server, this is your chance to join a brand-new team in one of the most beautiful spots in Santa Monica.

📍 Location: Oceana Hotel
🗓 Date: Friday, Sept 5
⏰ Time: 8AM – 6PM

👉 Come with your resume in hand — walk-ins are welcome!
I’ll be there and I’d love to meet some passionate hospitality professionals ready to build something special together.

08/21/2025

Sometimes being a chef means creating everything from scratch—sourcing the best ingredients, respecting the craft, and building dishes with precision and love. That’s the world we live in day after day: chasing perfection, chasing flavor, chasing the idea of excellence.

But then there are these little moments, when the kitchen is silent, the team is on break before the storm of service, and the only sound is the hum of the ovens cooling down. That’s when comfort takes over. A burger, greasy and cheesy, reminds you that food isn’t always about finesse—it’s about joy, about letting go, about taking a bite that makes you smile in the middle of the chaos.

Being a chef doesn’t mean you only eat caviar and truffles. Sometimes, it means letting yourself enjoy the simple, fat, cheesy comfort that takes the weight off your shoulders, even if only for a few minutes. Because at the end of the day, food is about happiness—and this is mine, right here, in an empty kitchen.

08/20/2025

Life is full of crossroads, and the hardest part is often finding the courage to choose the path that feels true to yourself. ✈️ Decisions are never easy, but they hold the power to change everything. At the end of the day, happiness is not something you wait for — it’s something you create by daring to move forward.

This moment marks the beginning of a new chapter in my story, one built on passion, growth, and the pursuit of joy. The future may be uncertain, but I believe the best is always ahead when you choose with your heart. 🌅✨

Stay tuned… the next episode of my life is coming soon, and I’m ready to embrace it fully.

08/04/2025

Sometimes the simplest dishes are the ones that ask for the most respect.
This tuna carpaccio isn’t about tricks — it’s about purity, balance, and letting every ingredient speak for itself. Thinly sliced fresh tuna, a punchy homemade salsa verde, and just the right touch of pickled red onions to bring the acidity and brightness.

It looks easy — and it is — but only if the product is top. No shortcuts. The fish must be perfect. The herbs must be fresh. The acidity has to be sharp but elegant.
It’s the kind of dish that lets the chef disappear and lets the ingredients take center stage.

Freshness first, always.
Simple on the plate. Strong in the taste.

07/30/2025

Lobster Bisque — Version 0.2 🦞✨
Not your classic bowl of soup… this is a reimagined indulgence.
A buttery, golden puff pastry dome hides an intense lobster bisque — rich, aromatic, and layered with flavor. On the side, a savory bite of lobster tartare, bright with citrus and spring onion, served over aged cheese for contrast.

Refined. Textured. Elevated.
Sometimes, version 2 means going back to the roots — and turning up the finesse. 🔥

07/29/2025

I always say, the details matter. Whether it’s the crispness of a garnish, the play of light on a sauce, or the texture of a delicate decoration, each element tells a story. This piece? It’s not just for looks. It’s crafted, tempered, and tested to add crunch, visual intrigue, and balance to a dish that took hours of thought and refinement.

In the chaos of service, moments like these keep me grounded. Curious. Inspired.
Because in the end, being a chef isn’t only about cooking—it’s about seeing differently.

👨‍🍳✨

07/28/2025

Rare, bold, and unforgiving.
Truffle—one of nature’s most elusive treasures. It takes time, patience, and instinct to understand it. Just because it’s luxurious doesn’t mean it belongs on everything.
The real challenge? Knowing when not to use it.
Because when the pairing is right, it’s magic. But when it’s wrong, it’s just expensive.

07/19/2025

In the heart of the kitchen, leadership doesn’t sit in the office—it stands shoulder to shoulder with the team, feeling the heat of the line and the rhythm of service.

Management is not just about giving orders. It’s about showing up. It’s about plating that last dish with care, tasting sauces, checking temperatures, and making sure every detail reflects the pride we take in our craft. It’s about leading by example—not from above, but from within.

Cooking is not just my job. It’s my language, my passion, and my way of connecting. When I’m at the stove with my brigade, I’m not just managing—I’m mentoring, learning, and pushing us all to be better than yesterday. Because in this kitchen, every plate matters, every service is a performance, and every team member is a key ingredient.

🔥 Strong leadership starts with humility.
👨‍🍳 Great food begins with passion.
💪 Success happens when you’re never too far from the fire.

07/18/2025

In the quiet moments before service, I find myself diving deep into the roots of our craft. 📖✨

Today, I’m studying Old World Italian by Mimi Thorisson — not just a cookbook, but a beautiful journey through generations of tradition, passion, and purpose. For me, reading about culinary history isn’t just education… it’s a ritual. A reminder that behind every great dish is a story, a culture, a legacy. 🇮🇹

As chefs, we don’t just cook food — we carry the memories of grandmothers in Sicilian kitchens, the discipline of Roman markets, the soul of Neapolitan streets. Every ingredient has a voice. Every recipe has a past. And every day in the kitchen, we write our own chapter in that never-ending story.

At Scarpetta, we aim to respect those roots while giving them new life. Honoring the past with every plate, but always cooking with the future in mind.

Because to create something meaningful, you must first understand where it all began.

07/06/2025

👨‍🍳 “Behind the Pass – Just Another Day in the Whites”

📍Scarpetta Las Vegas
🕒 6:00 AM – The alarm hits. Most people are still dreaming… but my day starts with prepping dreams on a plate.
🔪 9:00 AM – The pasta dough is alive. Every fold, every roll — it’s all about respect for the craft.
🔥 3:00 PM – Service is coming. Adrenaline builds. The kitchen shifts from quiet prep to organized chaos.
🎯 7:30 PM – Orders fly in. It’s showtime. The team becomes one. No ego, just precision.
🍝 10:15 PM – Last plate leaves the pass. Guests smile. That’s the fuel. That’s the reason.
🍷 Midnight – Finally, a breath. A glass of wine. And the fire starts again tomorrow.

💬 Being a chef isn’t a job, it’s a calling. You don’t choose the kitchen — it chooses you.

07/06/2025

Sunday morning rituals in the kitchen.
After a long week of fire and focus, I need my essentials:
a buttery croissant, a double espresso… and yes, I’m French 🇫🇷
With this little breakfast, I can handle anything the day throws at me.

Have a great Sunday, friends — rest, reset, or grind on.

03/30/2025

Seared halibut, cooked until golden and buttery, sitting on a velvety lobster emulsion, surrounded by spring vegetables: asparagus, brussels sprouts, and baby potatoes, each element chosen to complement and elevate the other.

03/29/2025

Fresh tagliatelle tossed in a silky truffle butter sauce, topped with luxurious black truffle shavings.
Simple, yet unforgettable.

03/28/2025

A new twist on a classic! 🍫☕️ This tiramisu tart combines the rich flavors of espresso, mascarpone, and chocolate in a delicate, artful bite. Who’s ready to indulge? 😍

03/24/2025

Some desserts aren’t just meant to be eaten—they’re meant to be photographed first! 🍰✨ Behind the scenes of capturing the perfect sweet moment before diving in. From rich chocolate textures to creamy goodness, every bite tells a story of passion and craftsmanship. 📸🍫 What’s your favorite dessert to photograph (or eat before you even get a picture)? Let me know in the comments! ⬇️

03/23/2025

🔥 Creamy Risotto with Crispy Corn Nuts & Velvety Green Sauce! 🔥
Risotto lovers, this one’s for you! 🍛✨ Smooth, rich, and packed with layers of flavor, this dish is a total showstopper. The golden risotto is perfectly creamy, the crunchy roasted corn nuts add an irresistible texture, and the luscious green sauce ties it all together like a dream! 💚
🌟 Who’s ready to cook? Let’s dive into the recipe!
🥄 Ingredients for the Risotto:
• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth (warm)
• 1/2 cup white wine (optional but recommended!)
• 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp butter or olive oil
• 1/2 tsp turmeric (for that gorgeous golden color!)
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for a vegan version)
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup crispy corn nuts (for the perfect crunch!)
• Fresh parsley for garnish

🥣 For the Green Sauce:
• 1 cup fresh peas (or a blend of peas & avocado for extra creaminess)
• 1/2 cup coconut milk or heavy cream
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt & pepper to taste
• A squeeze of fresh lime juice

03/09/2025

Client: ‘I’m looking for something truly special, something indulgent… Can you make it happen?’

Us: ‘Absolutely, we never say no to elevating your dining experience.’ ✨

When our clients have a craving for luxury, we deliver—like this exquisite caviar-topped pasta, crafted to perfection. Because at our table, every request is an opportunity to create something extraordinary. 🍝💎

”

03/08/2025

03/07/2025

🔥Steamy streets, yellow cabs, and NYC energy! 🚕💨 Who else loves the raw vibe of the city? Tag someone who needs to experience this!

03/03/2025

Feast your eyes on this seafood! Grilled octopus with crispy fingerling potatoes, a rich and flavorful sweet and sour sauce, a sprinkle of crushed pistachios, and a touch of microgreens for freshness. Every bite is a perfect mix of smoky, crunchy, and tender goodness.

Are you a fan of octopus? Would you try this dish? Drop a 🐙 if you’re in, or let me know what your go-to seafood dish is

02/18/2025

Black as the deep sea and just as irresistible! 🖤🍝 This stunning squid ink tagliatelle is coated in a rich, flavorful seafood sauce, topped with succulent lobster, and finished with a golden, crispy herb crumb for that perfect crunch. Every bite is a luxurious blend of umami, decadence, and pure indulgence. If you’re a true pasta lover, this one’s calling your name! Tag a friend who needs to experience this culinary masterpiece. 🍽️✨

02/15/2025

Starting the day with a little kitchen magic! ✨ They say food is made with love, so I decided to take it literally and carve a heart out of this potato! 🥔❤️ Cooking isn’t just about flavors; it’s about creativity, passion, and having fun along the way. Who’s ready for some heartwarming dishes today? 😍🔥 Tag someone who would appreciate a meal made with love! 💕

02/10/2025

This week in my kitchen: Delicious creations, one bite at a time! 🍽️✨ From sweet treats to savory delights—what should I cook next? 👀🔥

02/09/2025

Behind every great dish is a story of passion, precision, and dedication. The kitchen isn’t just a workplace—it’s a battlefield where creativity meets discipline, and where every plate is a masterpiece in the making.🔥 From early mornings to late nights, the grind never stops, but the reward is in every satisfied bite. 🍽️

Who else believes that food is more than just sustenance—it’s an experience, an art, and a way to bring people together? Let’s talk food, flavors, and everything in between! Drop your favorite dish in the comments! 👇🍷