Chef of the Week: Luke King, Ezra Café

Name: Luke King.

Title: Chef/manager.

Restaurant: , 5629 Manatee Ave. W.

Contact Info: 941-792-0990, www.ezrafinefoods.com

Hours: Monday-Friday, lunch: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., dinner: 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; Saturday, 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; closed Sunday.

Specialty: We have a really diverse menu with an Asian fusion flair. Also, Donna’s (owner Donna Eason) triple chocolate chip cookies are a customer favorite. Every customer gets a triple chocolate chip cookie.

How long have you been cooking? I started working in restaurants when I was 15 years old and started cooking professionally for about 14 years. I attended culinary school in Indiana and was lucky enough to have worked with some really great chefs.

Do you cook at home? Absolutely. I love grillin’ and chillin’ with my family (Luke is married to Donna’s daughter, Crystal, and they have a 17-month-old daughter, Camryn).

What is your favorite comfort food? Homemade chicken noodle soup — I remember it from when I was growing up and if I got sick my parents would make it for me. Also, there’s my Grandma’s pierogies. They’re the best.

Other than your restaurant, where else do you like to eat in Bradenton? Two places, I like to go to Ocean Star in Holmes Beach or on Cortez, they have great sushi and green tea ice cream. And I like to go to the The Waterfront Restaurant in Anna Maria. They have good food and great ambience.

A message from Chef Luke: We are about food 100 percent from when you walk in the door. With the open kitchen I can see people’s reaction when they get good service and taste the food. Many times people have come up to the kitchen window to tell me how great the food is. I also love working with family (His wife is the catering manager and his mother-in-law is the owner).

Other information: Ezra Café has carry out and catering. There is a banquet room for up to 50 diners. There is a full-service bar. Reservations are recommended.