Painting with Food
Why A Chef?
My name is David Erickson, and I create food. It’s not something I undertake lightly; the things we eat have a lot of significance in our daily lives. The fragrance of a peach, the sizzle of an onion basting in fat, the succulence of a perfect steamed shrimp, these simple ingredients can return us to a farm in Georgia, a grandmother’s kitchen, a restaurant in Chinatown. Food is evocative.
My goal is to create food that evokes a walk in a private garden, a stroll on a boardwalk, a celebration with family and friends. My journey to cooking has taken me to gourmet schools and local farmers’ markets. Every basket of peas begins a new journey, each glistening salmon fillet a new adventure. And it’s my pleasure to offer my gift of adventure to you.
Some people are driven to create art. I am driven to create exquisite food.
My Priority: Fresh Ingredients

The first wave of customers often wear white jackets and pull wheeled carts; soon they are filled with Chioggia beets, red leaf lettuces, Murcott tangerines and Gaviota strawberries. The kitchen crews, for these are the customers first thing, chat amiably with the farm workers, tasting, testing, to bring the very best back to their employers.
Few things bring me as much joy as wandering an open-air street market, selecting a stubby bunch of Nantes carrots, thick as your thumb, long and sweet, measuring finely pointed Haricots verts or verdant snap peas into my sack, wondering what impulse may send these vibrant vegetables crashing into well-chosen spices and herbs, to be transformed into a dish worthy of my knife.
Cheesecake
Salmon Mousse
Chicken
Butternut Squash
Greens Salad
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
What People are Saying

“The best host”
—Michael Warady

“Great job!”
—Tom Zings

“The dinner was amazing”
—Marion and Ken Scholtz

“An evening of culinary delights”
—Gene and Mary Shap
News & Events
A Tribute to Jonathan Gold
A tribute by readers of Jonathan’s articles. He will be missd in the Los Angeles scene, but his effect was worldwide.
Anthony Bourdain dead at 61
Anthony Bourdain has died at 61. His influence and mark on the food, travel, and journalism community was extraordinary, inspiring a generation of writers, cooks, and explorers. read more…
These vegan burgers are delicious
If you haven’t tried these burgers, well, they ain’t black bean burgers is all I’m saying. Besides, they are really yummy! read more…
Serving:
All of Oregon and Southern Washington State
Phone: 310-275-3283
Email: iamchefdavid@gmail.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/iamchefdaviderickson/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/iamchefdavid