Word: strack
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...Strack takes particular pride in the newest part of Central Kitchen, which has been appropriately dubbed “Enormous Room.” He lovingly describes the décor of Enormous Room. “The two rooms are really two sides of the same coin,” Strack explains. The upstairs space, which features plush couches and chairs as well as artfully strewn pillows and rugs, has a decidedly Moroccan feel. The room is meant to provide an intimate, but lively, atmosphere. “At the beginning we had it lit only by candlelight...
...really blends ethnic flavor in a way that makes it a relaxed and intimate environment,” he says. Though Enormous Room can’t claim to offer a tremendous amount of options, the two choices on the menu (regular and vegetarian) are equally delicious. When Strack leaves the kitchen to greet the dinner crowd, he is greeted by enthusiastic compliments from the satiated group. Strack briefly mingles and jokes with customers and employees before returning to the depths of the kitchen...
...Strack honed his culinary skills in Paris, where he moved after Harvard. He had a friend who was attending Le Cordon Bleu, the legendary French culinary school. “I just started showing up,” Strack recalls. “My French wasn’t too good, but I could watch and I developed a passion for it.” As head chef, he maintains an active role in the ever-changing menu while still giving his staff freedom. “It’s boring to cook the same thing over and over...
While academia may have left a sour taste in Strack’s mouth, the restaurant business has treated him well. “It is really fucking hard,” Strack admits, “but it’s really rewarding.” He especially appreciates the ability to be involved in all aspects of the restaurant—from the hands-on cooking to management. “The best thing is being your own boss, making money based on your own ideas...
While not feeding the hip and hungry or hosting the likes of Cut Chemist, who stopped in before his recent Boston performance, Strack can be found either with his wife and children or playing basketball at his old stomping grounds, the MAC. “I don’t have a valid Harvard ID anymore, but I just give them my library card instead,” Strack says with a mischievous grin...