Chef Dean Gold, Photo credit: Food and Friends

Dean Gold and his wife, Kay Zimmerman, opened Dino in the District’s Cleveland Park neighborhood in July 2005, a few years after he experienced a massive heart attack.

The experience led him to refocus on the simple pleasures of eating incredible foods and enjoying life. Over the years, Gold has been involved with wine and food in various capacities, working as a wine sales person (both retail and wholesale), a wine director at Angeli Caffe in Los Angeles, and then later with Whole Foods Market.

It was during his time at Whole Foods that Gold began his annual trips to Italy where he learned about great food products. These trips gave him the opportunity to dine at excellent restaurants and to visit the producers directly, making connections with artisan producers with whom he still has relationships. Today, their products form the foundation for Dino’s menu.

Dino’s extensive wine program and authentic Italian fare have been lauded in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Food & Wine, as well as on countless blogs. Gold also cooked at the James Beard House earlier this year.

If you would like to submit questions ahead of time, please email them to nlim@tbd.com.