Dino’s Backstage and the Celebrity Room Introduces New Executive Chef Glaister Knight

In addition to opening the floor-to-ceiling windows, preparing the outdoor living room and setting the tables for al fresco dining, Dino Cataldi and Michael Kelly-Cataldi, co-owners of Dino’s Backstage and The Celebrity Room in Glenside, PA, are excited about introducing guests to Glaister Knight, their new executive chef. As they described the mouth-watering and beautifully appealing dishes by Knight, the owners were beaming about the new menu and the dedicated chef. Michael Kelly-Cataldi said, “We have gotten so many compliments on Glaister’s food that we know are sincere because we love it just as much ourselves. The steak has the most delicious flavors and, honestly, I look forward to each meal and then hate when it’s over.”

Some of the highlights of the new menu are: Uptown Salad - 1/2 of a Maine lobster tail, salmon, served over mixed greens, tossed in herb vinaigrette and finished with a balsamic glaze and garlic bread; Dino's Short Rib Burger - ground short ribs, with bacon marmalade, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, and tomato with special sauce served on a brioche roll; Grilled Branzino - whole fish, debone, with roasted root vegetables finished with citrus beurre blanc topped with olive caponata. This is a small sampling.

Attached to the release are three recipes for Sautéed Salmon with Raisin Couscous and Tomato Marmalade, Seafood Linguine with a touch of Lemon and Stuffed Acord Squash. Most of the desserts are Knight’s recipes and prepared in-house.

Knight came to cooking naturally. His mother was a caterer where he grew up in Jamaica and he was often by her side in the kitchen. At an early age, he developed a passion for cooking and has always believed it is a form of art. He said, “I loved to cook more than anything else I would do when growing up in Jamaica and I’m sure that came from my mother. To me, preparing food is about making food that taste good and looks just as good.” Each dish he makes has a design element. To Knight, there’s only one goal – pleasing the customer -- and that’s what he teaches the kitchen and wait staff.

Knight studied at Run Away Bay Heart in Jamaica where he honed his skills as a chef. His first job was at Sandals Duns River as Chef de Partie. But he knew the best way to refine his skills was at school and he went to the States and studied at Johnson and Wales in Rhode Island. He worked at impressive restaurants in Newport including the Moorings Restaurant and the Clarke Cooke House, where he was sous chef. Always seeking new challenges to better his skills, he next went to Bistro 162 as the Executive Chef where he did everything from design the kitchen layout and buy equipment to create the menus. His cooking career continued while working with notable chefs like Christopher Lee and Jesus Nunez. When he ventured out of Newport, he became a consultant chef for a few years in Delaware and Maryland. He next landed in Allentown, PA as the Executive Chef for Hooks Seafood Restaurant. which was once the most cosmopolitan restaurant in the area.

Now, Knight is excited about being at Dino's Backstage. He said, “I hope to bring great cuisine at to our guests who will find the dining experience at Dino’s as memorable as the décor and entertainment.”

About Dino’s Backstage and The Celebrity Room:
Imagine the sophisticated scene of the supper clubs of the 40’s and 50’s! That’s exactly what co-owners Dino Kelly-Cataldi and Michael Kelly-Cataldi did when they dreamed up Dino’s Backstage and The Celebrity Room, the deluxe restaurant, bar and cabaret in Keswick Village, Glenside, PA. They combined wonderful entertainment, outstanding food, impeccable service and magnificent décor in a building designed by the legendary Horace Trumbauer and a space created by the highly-acclaimed Stokes Architecture. Shortly after they opened, Dino’s was named #1 restaurant for Ambiance from OpenTable.com. Located at 287 N Keswick Ave. in Glenside, there are four dining options – the dining room, the bar, the luxurious Celebrity Room and outdoor dining -- that can accommodate up to 120 diners. Hours are Wednesday to Sunday, beginning at 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday Brunch – 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information, call (215) 884-2000.