Chad Christian Clift

Chad Christian Clift - Three Things to Take Care of before You Travel Abroad

Chad Christian Clift loves to travel whenever his busy schedule allows him to. As the head chef, founder, and owner of Swanky’s in Mossy Rock, a busy community restaurant, Clift has a busy schedule, but he still makes time to get out and see the world whenever possible. He sees traveling as a part of his life and he hopes that he can continue to travel throughout the world as he moves ever closer to retirement. Here are three things Clift always takes care of before he leaves the United States:

• Passport. These documents expire and need to be renewed from time to time. Chad Christian Clift had a passport since he was 18, but he always makes sure that it is always active and ready to be used to purchase international flight tickets. No one wants to wait a few weeks for their documentation and delay their flight plans.
• Currency exchanges. If you have to, find out the best way and timing to get your US cash exchanged for local currency. Sometimes, as Chad Christian Clift has found out, it’s easier to make this exchange after you land in another country; sometimes it’s easier to do it before you leave.
• Immunizations. To travel to certain places, you’ll need a cocktail of immunizations. Make sure you leave yourself enough time to get these shots and get the recommended care before you book your flights.

Chad Christian Clift has traveled around the world. As someone who considers himself a world citizen, he knows how to prepare for international trips everywhere.

Chad Christian Clift - Licensed Scuba Diver

Chad Christian Clift was born and raised in Mossy Rock, Washington, an area on the Olympic Peninsula that has excellent access to both Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean. He didn’t learn and become licensed to scuba dive until he moved to New York and returned in 2001 to found his restaurant, Swanky’s in Mossy Rock. Once he got himself fully licensed and trained, however, Clift became enraptured by the underwater beauty and diverse wildlife of the underwater habitats near his home. He sees scuba diving as both a challenge and as a way to experience worlds that humans can’t live in naturally. He loves to see wildlife in its natural habitat.

Chad Christian Clift trained for weeks and had to accumulate years of experience before he could do the things he does with his scuba equipment now. Learning to breathe using the scuba equipment takes practice, as does getting used to the high water pressures of being deep underwater. Chad Christian Clift had to work hard to earn his scuba certification and spend hours training in the water and practicing with the equipment before he reached his level of experience. But, Clift says there’s nothing like seeing the wonders of the underwater world up close and personal.

Chad Christian Clift has found many opportunities to use his scuba equipment and expertise to explore places many wouldn’t dare to explore. Clift hopes to expand his underwater experience as he continues to build his Swanky’s community restaurant business in Mossy Rock.

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Chad Christian Clift - Three Items all Hikers Need

Chad Christian Clift is an experienced hiker. He grew up exploring the deep wonders of the Hoh Rainforest near his home in Mossy Rock, Washington, on the Olympic Peninsula. Nurtured by the highest rainfall in the United States, this area is rich in wildlife and natural beauty. Clift learned from an early age all the gear he’d need to get the most out of his excursions into these natural areas all around him and stay safe. Here are three items Clift believes all hikers should invest in:

• Warm socks. Footwear is obviously a necessary investment for experienced hikers like Chad Christian Clift. While sturdy, water-proof hiking boots are good items to have, even necessary in some cases (like the Hoh Rainforest), warm socks are worthy investments no matter where you’re planning to hike.
• An unbreakable water bottle. Chad Christian Clift knows this is why Nalgenes are so popular. Keep your water bottle from breaking on the trail and spilling your necessary water by investing in a bottle that won’t burst open if you happen to drop it.
• A backpack. Even if you don’t plan on sleeping where you hike on the trail, you’ll need a backpack capable of holding and securing all of the necessary items you’ll need when you go for day hikes as well.

Chad Christian Clift has hiked on many trails throughout the Mossy Rock area as a way of relieving stress from his job as the head chef and owner of Swanky’s, a community restaurant in town.

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Chad Christian Clift - Proud Owner of Swanky’s

Chad Christian Clift is the proud owner and founder of Swanky’s, a different kind of community restaurant based in the small community of Mossy Rock, Washington, on the Olympic Peninsula. Clift sources his ingredients from the ports of Seattle as well as fresh ingredients from the farms and organic co-ops of the Mossy Rock area. Clift created Swanky’s to offer the freshest, most delicious gourmet meals to his community. He brings with him the expertise and the training of a New York chef working at one of the top restaurants in the country.

When Chad Christian Clift left Mossy Rock after he graduated from high school, he wanted to live in New York and work as a chef for one of the top restaurants in the country or the world. He moved to New York and earned a degree in Culinary Arts, but before he could get his career as a chef on track, he abruptly decided to move back home and bring his experience and skill with him. Chad Christian Clift founded Swanky’s to provide his friends and neighbors the best gourmet meals he could create without the exclusionary prices of top New York restaurants. If you come to Swanky’s, you will always be able to get a hot plate.

Chad Christian Clift has contributed much to his community since returning to open Swanky’s in 2001. In addition to making Swanky’s into a community restaurant, Clift also has donated his culinary prowess to a new local soup kitchen on Main Street.

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Chad Christian Clift - How to Stay Positive in a Competitive Environment

Chad Christian Clift has worked as a chef for his entire career, and is one of the most successful culinary professionals in the Seattle area. Although cooking is something that Clift is very passionate about and loves to do, it can be a very competitive environment sometimes. There are always many people vying for the same positions, and it can be very overwhelming to be surrounded by other talented and ambitious professionals. Luckily, Clift has found that keeping a positive attitude and staying level-headed has helped him cope with the competitive and sometimes-stressful environment of the restaurant business.

Clift’s favorite way to cope with competition is to focus on setting his own personal goals, instead of stressing out about what others around him are doing. By refusing to engage with competitive people around him and instead trying to compete with himself and top his own achievements, he removes much of the stress that can come with a competitive environment. By doing this, Clift has been able to further his career in many ways. In addition to working as a chef at two restaurants in Seattle, he also teaches culinary classes and is even writing a cookbook. Clift has also found that it helps to find solid friends within the industry whom he can count on, no matter the situation. By having friendly faces around that he knows he can count on, Chad Christian Clift reduces the stress of being surrounded by competition.

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Chad Christian Clift - Trends in the Culinary Field

Chad Christian Clift is a successful chef based in the Seattle area. He received his culinary education at the Oregon Culinary Institute, and has been working in the restaurant business for over ten years. Clift specifically focuses on Asian Fusion food, and his work blends Asian flavors with many American and European favorite dishes. Asian Fusion has been a huge trend in the culinary field over the past several years. Here are more trends that you can expect to see at the best restaurants in your city.

- In 2016, you can expect to see an increase in the accessibility of Middle Eastern and African flavors. These types of foods have not seen huge popularity in the United States, but that is expected to change as chefs continue to experiment with the rich and unique flavors of Africa.

- Another hot trend in the culinary industry right now is artisan sodas. These in-house beverages add a unique twist to the restaurant staples of Coke, Pepsi, and Sprite, and are perfect to pair with sophisticated and fun new dishes. You may have even already seen unique and handmade local sodas at some stores in your area.

- You can also expect to see hand-made ice cream on the dessert menu at many of your favorite restaurants. Chefs are taking the opportunity to add unique flavors to this classic dessert. An artisan ice cream is the perfect way to top off a great meal at a unique restaurant.

Chad Christian Clift enjoys keeping up with culinary trends and even incorporating them in his work as a chef.

Chad Christian Clift - Staying Inspired in the Kitchen

Seattle-based chef Chad Christian Clift has been working in the culinary industry for his entire career and with such a long career comes the risk of experiencing burnout. Luckily, Clift has found many ways to stay inspired over the years. He finds that working on many different projects and constantly looking for new ways to grow is an integral part of staying focused. For example, he currently cooks at two restaurants in the Seattle area, one in downtown Seattle and one in Bellevue, a nearby suburban district. He also teaches culinary classes to aspiring chefs in the area and is currently working on curating his first cookbook. By staying busy with so many different projects, Clift avoids feeling burnt out.

Another way that Clift stays inspired in the kitchen is focusing on foods that he truly loves. He has been passionate about Asian-American fusion food since his time in culinary school, and by focusing on this type of cuisine, he is able to really pursue his passion and continue creating dishes that are innovative but reflect his personal style. Clift particularly loves to challenge himself to incorporate Asian fusion into new types of dishes, such as desserts, appetizers, and even cocktails. He also likes to develop kid-friendly recipes to appeal to his young daughter. Finally, Clift finds that when he is feeling bored or frustrated in the kitchen, it helps to take a break and pursue one of his other favorite hobbies, which range from bowling to scuba diving. Chad Christian Clift has found many different ways to stay inspired in the kitchen over the many years that he has been involved in cooking.

Chad Christian Clift’s Favorite Meals for Kids and Families

Successful chef Chad Christian Clift loves cooking for his young daughter, and as a busy chef and single parent, is always looking for easy and quick meals to make that are also nutritious and tasty. Over the years, he has found many great dishes to serve kids that do not take too much time to make, but still give children everything they need to stay healthy and keep growing. Clift has even been adding fun and innovative dishes for kids to the menus at the restaurants where he works.

• A fun Asian dish that kids love is Teriyaki chicken and rice. This dish can easily be made in a slow cooker or in the oven, and both kids and parents love the distinct and salty flavor of Teriyaki sauce. Chicken provides kids with much-needed protein, while rice is a healthy way to add carbohydrates to the meal.
• Another fun and easy snack that kids will go crazy over is pot stickers. They can be made with both chicken or pork, and there are many high-quality versions readily available at the grocery store if you don’t have time to make your own. Pair them with some grilled vegetables and rice for a healthy but delicious meal.
• Instead of making pizza, why not make eggplant parmesan? Kids will still get the yummy taste of tomato sauce and cheese, but without the grease or the heavy crust. Eggplant is also an easy way for kids to get their vegetables.

Chad Christian Clift loves making these and many other fun and easy dishes to enjoy with his daughter.

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Chad Christian Clift Offers Tips About Tandem Skydiving

When Seattle native Chad Christian Clift is not working tirelessly in a restaurant or traveling, he likes to spend some of his free time sky diving. This extreme adventure sport has a reputation for being both loved and feared by many. For those who have already experienced the thrill of falling through the sky, there is no doubt that the experience is one of a kind. Others, however, have been intrigued by the concept, but are too afraid to give it a go. Clift explains that a first time sky diving experience does not have to be scary, especially since it will be a tandem jump.

In a tandem sky dive, the person jumping is literally attached via a harness to professional. When two people tandem sky dive, the professional is the one in charge of the technicalities of the jump. All the jumper needs to do is spread their arms and enjoy the ride. He says that sky diving is not hard to do, and really anyone in good health can do it with ease. When you sky dive the most complicated part of the trip will be the paperwork that must be filled out prior to jumping, and getting suited up and harnessed. Special suits are worn to help the professional or individual diver adjust for wind, drag, and lift. These suits are comfortable, though not very stylish. After that it is all clear skies, according to Chad Christian Clift.

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Chad Christian Clift Explores Food Through Travel

Over years of travel and gastronomic adventure, Chef Chad Christian Clift has learned that there is no better way to learn about a culture than through its native cuisine. When he travels, Clift is able to experience two of his favorite passions, gourmet appreciation and exploration. It does not matter whether he is exploring his own backyard of the Pacific Northwest, other states within the country, or going overseas, he finds that the foods he eats are the best examples of a nation's history.

It was thanks to these travels that he fell in love with Asian cuisine. Through travel and leisure activities he has been able to try the flavors and ingredients that are custom to that land. This deep appreciation was forged over years of formal and informal education. Other areas where travel has brought forth culinary experiences in his life include the regional areas of the United States, and South America. He hopes one day to visit Italy and France, both places offer phenomenal culinary delights.

Eating the foods of different countries and nationalities is also a great way to get to know the people who live there. Trying these foods and experiencing the hospitality of a country endears Clift to the people who live there. Meeting and eating with the locals is an experience that he recommends for everyone. As a Chef, Chad Christian Clift recognizes the value of cultural exchange, to broaden his social and epicurean horizons.

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Chad Christian Clift Enjoys Cooking Asian Cuisine

Of all of the many styles of cuisine that Chef Chad Christian Clift could have chosen as his focus, Asian inspired foods are the ones he enjoys cooking the most. Based on the foods that have been cooked and served throughout the Asian continent for centuries, the foods of Asia are very closely tied to the culture of the countries involved.

Spanning from the Middle East to the Far East there are typical ingredients that are found as a common thread throughout. Rice is a staple food that is used all over the Asian continent, though not always the same type of rice. For example, in Japan and Korea, short grain rice is used to make stir fried dishes and sushi. In Southeast Asia and Thailand Jasmine rice is the popular choice, while in the subcontinent, Basmati rice is the common choice.

Spices are very particular in Asian cuisine and they are also very heavily relied upon items. Ginger, garlic, and lemongrass are abundant throughout the region. Other commonplace herbs and spices include basil, mint, coriander, cilantro, and curry. There are many cooking styles associated with Asian cuisine. Stir frying, the cooking of fresh ingredients with a small amount of oil over high heat, is a healthy and fast way to prepare meals. Other common methods in the region include steaming and deep frying. Chad Christian Clift enjoys every style of Asian cuisine, from the curry of India to the sashimi of Japan.

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Chef Chad Christian Clift Explains the Benefits of Seasonal Produce

Many of the menus that Seattle Chef Chad Christian Clift creates are centered around the use of seasonal ingredients. This trope of “fresh” and “seasonal” is not merely a way to increase the allure of a menu item. In fact, using seasonal ingredients makes sense on many levels. First of all, seasonal ingredients are less expensive. Items that are being harvested in the spring are going to be cheaper, because they are plentiful. If you live in a growing area, the ingredients can be attained locally, which means that shipping and travel costs do not have to be added to the price of the ingredient.

Seasonally fresh items also taste better. In the fall, for example, every member of the gourd family produces remarkably well. The vegetables and fruits that thrive thanks to specific weather conditions are full of flavor and nutrients that should not be missed. Taking advantage of this just makes sense, according to Clift. Whether you are an accomplished Chef or an at home cook, there is no reason why you should not be using the natural bounty around you. He recommends visiting not only the supermarkets, but also the local farmers’ markets. Here, items that are in season and less expensive are found cheaply and easily. Chad Christian Clift says that this type of menu planning also adds to the sustainability of the local farms and suppliers in your area, which is a positive for the community and for mother nature.