From Starving to Full

Like every good story, it always begins with someone walking into a bar. It just so happens that this time around — that someone was me.

So I walked into a bar and saw a masculine man sitting alone while sipping a very pink martini drink — you know, something that would make Brüno say, Vassup! — and said to myself: a) Who is this guy? and b) What’s goin’ on with the Carrie Bradshaw cocktail?

“What are you drinking?” I asked. He clears his throat, looks at me like I’m nuts and mumbles, “Uhh, a James Bond.” And with that, a long conversation ensued.

Oh and Brüno: Sorry babe, but it's women on his menu.

The name's Timms. Mark Timms. Turns out, since 2008, he is the Executive Chef at Norma’s restaurant at Topnotch Resort and Spa in Stowe, Vt.

By the way, I didn't write rising star for nothin'. Here are some reasons why he is the up-and-coming Mick Jagger of the culinary world:

But it wasn't all pedal to the medal on the highway to success. Growing up as a foster child in England, meals were scarce and money was low. He couldn’t afford art school so he enrolled in culinary school instead.

Fast-forward from a kid with hunger pains to making others full today, Mark Timms is more than a chef. He's a man with some true blue heart n' soul.

He's beaten the odds which makes him want to help the less fortunate because, “At the end of the day, I just try to do the right thing in life. I want to help out as best I can."

Now, trust me when I say I know absolutely nothing about cooking. So I asked him-what exactly is a chef?

“Someone who is creative, insane, moody, flighty and very talented."

Usually an artist is their own worst enemy, and Chef Timms is no exception. But sometimes he does think his work is ... super sexy?

OK, I’ll just let him explain:

“A dish that’s executed right, artistic, has taste and that important wow factor is super sexy, a dish that’s artistic but missing something is sexy and if it sucks, it goes in the trash.”

He's an active man of charity. He shows his support as a chef by preparing dinner for attendees like Lauren Hutton and Eve Ensler at benefits such as From Darkness to Light's, Circle of Light gala in 2002. A nonprofit organization that helps child sexual abuse.

What’s next? The Rising Star Chef Food and Wine Show on Aug. 22. Chef Mark Timms will host a collection of notable chefs from all over the nation at Topnotch in Vermont. Proceeds from tickets will benefit the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger.

“At the Rising Star Chef event, I want to bring awareness to people that children are starving and we are all fortunate to eat. Sometimes people forget and dwell on little things like their steak wasn't the right temperature or a dish was served too late. We all need to help each other out and give back because that's what's most important."

Well Chef, your efforts would certainly be rated super sexy in anyone's book.

Pink drinks all around!

Photos Courtesy of Lisa Ozag for Vermont Farm To Table featuring Chef Mark Timms.

Top photo: English Pea Paper with Mint Crème Fraîche

Bottom photo: Miniature Al’s Burgers