Meet Robert Fecteau of 88 Wharf Riverfront Grill

This is the first in a series profiling local chefs.

At the age of 15 Robert Fecteau was busing tables at the Castle Restaurant in Worcester. That's where his passion for food began. This passion turned into an apprenticeship at the restaurant. During which time Fecteau learned the ins and outs of the business, working his way from the salad station to the sauté station, eventually landing himself the position of sous chef.

Fecteau has built an impressive résumé of upscale restaurants in the greater Boston area prior to getting the call that brought him to his current position as executive chef of 88 Wharf Riverfront Grill in Milton. Following his time at the Castle Restaurant, Fecteau was the sous chef at Fava in Needham, worked for William Koval at the former Aujourd'hui at the Four Seasons Hotel, Boston and helped open the Woodward Restaurant in the Ames Hotel with Mark Goldberg.

In March 2010, Fecteau began his tenure at 88 Wharf, where he worked with the owners to develop a "diverse menu with something for everyone." Incorporating classic staples like the burger, Fecteau put his own spin on menu items, turning them into 88 Wharf signatures.

The "88 Burger" comes topped with a unique smoked tomato remoulade and a side of hand-cut rosemary french fries. Fecteau points out a personal favorite, the grilled lamb top steak over a sweet corn and pepper succotash with an herbed goat cheese croquette and rosemary au jus.

Feeling inspired by seasonal items, the chef makes changes to the 88 Wharf menu every few months. Fecteau has gained inspiration from a myriad of influence that date back to his childhood. The son of a first generation Italian-American mother and a father who worked in international sales, often bringing back treats and stories of food and foreign cultures, Fecteau was exposed to a variety if culinary styles at a young age. "I've always had good food in my house," commented Fecteau, "That was my first influence, my mother was always cooking."

But don't expect to see traditional, "mom's table," Italian dishes from Fecteau. "My influences are at the base of it all, but I've developed my own style," he explained, "I take all of my experiences and what I've been given as far as opportunities and put it into my food."

88 Wharf is located at 88 Wharf Street. For more information visit www.88wharf.com.