Outliers in the world of performance come in many shapes, sizes, and all corners of the universe. We tend to hear about them in the world of sport and business but exceptional and uncommon performers exist all around us. Having a trained eye for elite standouts, it didn’t take long for me to see these qualities in Chef Craig Strong.
Menu selections like Oxtail Risotto, Short Rib Cigars, House made Ravioli and Lobster or even a gourmet burger that really tastes like a gourmet burger are some of the features he offers at his Laguna Beach restaurant called Ocean at Main. He cultivated his art form from having worked around the world, bringing those experiences to complement his passion for life, creating an experience for both diners and his staff. There is a genuine energy about Chef Craig that becomes contagious which comes from his philosophy to wanting to change the model for how restaurants and specifically the kitchens are run so that the failure rate decreases. Simply stated, Craig Strong is different and his work shows it and we are the beneficiaries of his artistry.
About Chef Craig Strong
Chef Craig Strong, whose 25-year career in luxury hotels and resorts earned him a Michelin star from his time at The Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena, has come full circle to his native Southern California roots with the recent opening his own restaurant - Ocean at Main. In its first year, the critically acclaimed restaurant was honored as a Best New Restaurant by Orange Coast Magazine, one of Modern Luxury's 10 Most Exciting New Restaurants, and was named among OC Register critic, Brad Johnson's 75 Best Places to Eat. Chef Strong previously held the title of Executive Chef at the prestigious Studio at Montage in Laguna Beach for nine years.
From the coasts of California to Washington, DC, and Barcelona to Hong Kong, Chef Strong has cooked all over the world; his dishes draw inspiration from the culture and cuisine that make these places unique. From growing up in San Diego and cooking with produce from the family garden, Chef Strong is now sharing his Coastal California cuisine at Ocean at Main with the community he has embraced for the past decade.
www.oceanatmain.com