About
Updated: November 4, 2011
Pic taken November 3, 2011
Name: A. Scott Mindeaux
What the “A” stands for: Anthony is actually my first name
Age: how old do i look?? <smile>
Currently living in: The OC – Mission Viejo, to be exact
Shoe size: 9/9.5
Vision: Nearsighted, wear glasses/contacts
Place of birth: Chicago, IL
Shampoo brand I Use: American Crew or Pantene for Med/Thick Hair
Cologne: Eternity/Polo Sport/Tommy/ckOne
Favorite recent hangout: Portola Coffee Lab in the OCMix in Costa Mesa, CA
Something that has set me apart from the rest: I was an activist in GLBT grassroots organizing for 6 years as an Information Systems Director for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in Washington D.C. In 1993, I held the distinction as being one of the first IT Directors and Webmasters in the Gay and Lesbian movement. Grassroots organizing was moving into the next century and I helped bring them there.
I also took a three year sabbatical from my IT career to pursue a culinary career. 2002-2005. Ran a successful cooking school program for Sur La Table before returning back to IT in 2005.
Teachers/Mentors that greatly influenced my life:
- John Larry Granger (former HS music director)
- Mary L. Farmer (formerly of NGLTF)
- Carol Cotner Thompson (my culinary instructor)
Television Appearances:
- WTTG (DC), Fox 5 Morning News with Holly Morris;
- WRIC-TV (Richmond, Va) Channel 8, Sur La Table interview;
- Silver Spoons episode, 2nd season, orchestra member, filmed 12/1983;
- 1984 Olympics Concert Special for the opening of the games in Los Angeles
Actors/Actresses I have met:
- Paul McCrane (Doctor Romano) from ER
- Holland Taylor (Legally Blonde, To Die For, The Practice, Bosom Buddies)
- Cast of Silver Spoons: Erin Gray, Joel Higgins, Rick Schroeder, Jason Bateman
- Kate Clinton
- Lea DeLaria
- Taran Noah Smith
Culinary Noteables I have met:
- Jacques Pepin – Need I say more? A Legend!
- Carla Hall – Top Chef Contestant, Sur La Table, L’Academie de Cuisine
- Nancy Silverton – Founder of La Brea Bakery
- Joanne Weir – Weir Cooking in the City on PBS
- Rich Sweeney – Top Chef and Owner of R Gang Eatery
- Jamie Lauren – Top Chef and formerly of Absinthe and Beechwood
- Suvir Suran – Executive Chef at Dévi and Top Chef Masters
- Carla Hall – Owner of Alchemy and Top Chef
- George Geary – Cheesecakes 101
- Nick Malgieri – Author of Perfect Cakes, Cookies and more.
- Dorie Greenspan – Author of Paris Sweets
- Julie Sahni
- Molly Stevens – Fine Cooking Magazine Contributing Editor, Author
- James Peterson
- Hugh Carpenter
- Nathalie Dupree – the queen of Southern’ cookin’
- Stephanie Hersh – Julia Childs’ Personal Assistant
- Ris Lacoste – RisDC, Former Executive Chef of 1789 in Georgetown
- Steve Maninno – Executive Chef, Olives
- Cliff Wharton – Executive Chef, TenPehn
- David Guas, Executive Pastry Chef, TenPenh – Ceiba and DC Coast
- Marie Simmons – Author of Fig Heaven
- Christopher Kimball – Editor of Cook’s Illustrated Magazine, Host of America’s Test Kitchen
- Peter Reinhart – Dean of Baking at Johnson & Wales, Author of The Bread Baker’s Apprentice
- John Ash – Executive chef for Fetzer Vineyards
Musical Instruments I Have Played: French Horn (Primary), Viola (Primary), Violin, Piano, Voice, Mellophone, Mallet Percussion, Percussion, Low Brass. As well as being assistant drum major, I was also first chair viola in my high school orchestra, 2nd chair French Horn. I was in SEYSO – The Southeast Youth Symphony Orchestra – First Chair Viola.
My current doctor: Dr. Maziar Zamani – Saddleback Memorial; Dr. Daniel LaMont, Cardiologist – Saddleback Memorial; Dr. Raymond Chang, Endocrinologist – South County Endocrine Center
States I’ve visited: All the states in the continental US except for Idaho, Montana, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire. I’ve also been to Hawaii. Countries: Mexico (Tijuana) and Canada (Toronto)
Places where I’ve lived: Illinois (Chicago, Tinley Park); California (Mission Viejo, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Redondo Beach); Virginia (Arlington, Falls Church, Bailey’s Crossroads, Reston) , Seattle, WA
Favorite place to vacation: Washington, DC and San Diego, CA
Favorite places to shop: Chefs Toys, Gap, Surfas, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Sur La Table, The Apple Store, eBay, Oldnavy.com
Secret musical passion: To conduct a symphony with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5
Time of birth: 4:30pm CST, Mary Thompson Hospital, Chicago
Odd claim to Fame: A poster I had designed for a protest rally at the 1996 Republican Convention in San Deigo got incorporated into a porn movie.
First girl I kissed: In the 11th grade
Last girl I kissed: Natalie…
Elementary school: Greentree Elementary, Irvine, CA
My first TV memory: Moon Landing
First name of first girlfriend: Grace
First name of last girlfriend: I don’t remember, it was so long ago
First name of first boyfriend: Gene
First name of last boyfriend: Brian
First major injury that I remember: Getting a fish hook snagged in my hand (ok…it was minor)
Last major injury: Major heart attack on May 27, 2011. Currently in Cardiac Rehab. Suffered from Exertionary Angina. Underwent an angioplasty and had a stent installed to repair my left ventricle artery; A few years before that I completely severed my achilles tendon, had repair surgery; Lumbar Puncture (7/06); Second Stent (Feb. 2007)
Gyms: LA Fitness, Mission Viejo
Favorite ice cream: Homemade vanilla
Favorite Ben and Jerry’s flavor: Heathbar
Size of my TV: 19″ – it’s not a flat screen
Name of roommates: I live alone
Name of last roommates: Brian and Tiagro, Jon and David(Rosslyn), Marc and Lee (Falls Church); Mario (Redondo Beach); Todd and John (Arlington, VA)
Most challenging guy I know: Tim Winger
My Best Friends: Scott Shumaker, best friends forever; Tim Winger
Favorite foods: Seafood, Asian, Mexican, Mediterranean, Italian
What I usually eat: In the past I would eat stuff not good for me, mostly fast food. Today I eat foods cooked with fresh and local ingredients. Trying to give up red meat and focusing on fish and poultry.
Least liked musical form: Rap
Cavities: I had 2 and a cracked tooth
Broken bones: 0
Goals blocked during 6th grade soccer game: 0
Stitches: 5
Favorite TV shows: Today: Top Chef, NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, House, Hell’s Kitchen, Masterchef, Suits, Necessary Roughness, and Anything on HGTV, Cooking Channel or the Food Network. Former TV shows I like: 24, American Idol, Fringe, Heroes, The West Wing, Smallville, Stargate SG-1/Atlantis, BSG,
Favorite bad science fiction TV series: Battlestar Galactica (the old one), Lost In Space
Political party: Grew up as a Republican, but now a Democrat
Candidate I voted for in 1988: George Bush (I know…)
Candidate I voted for in 1992: Bill Clinton
Candidate I voted for in 1996: Bill Clinton
Candidate I voted for in 2000: I didn’t vote that year.
Candidate I voted for in 2004: John Kerry
Candidate I voted for in 2008: Barack Obama
Candidate I will vote for in 2012: ???
Body piercings: None, so far – well unless you include that fish hook accident way back when…
