CUISINE

CHEF CONVERSATIONS

In the kitchen with Josh Pickard of Ocean Prime

As the executive chef of Ocean Prime on High Street in Phoenix, Josh Pickard delights in dishing up an impressive menu of seafood and exquisite cuts of steak paired with chic cocktails and a Wine Spectator-honored wine list.

BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ / PHOTO BY DEBBY WOLVOS

What inspired you to cook? Honestly, it was television. I grew up – both in Phoenix and Los Angeles – watching the Food Network and its stars, especially Tyler Florence and Emeril Lagasse. By 16, I made my way into my first kitchen, with my mind set on doing what they did. I never considered anything else.

Tell us about your journey to Ocean Prime. I graduated from the Arizona Culinary Institute in 2003, then moved to California briefly for an opportunity before getting my first big break at Talking Stick Golf Club in 2005. Through Talking Stick, I became friendly with Jagger Griffin, who would eventually become the executive chef at Ocean Prime. I moved over there in 2012 to become his sous chef, and after completing the Ocean Prime Young Leaders Program, I was named executive chef in 2020 when Jagger took on the general manager role.

Which of your menu items need to be on our culinary bucket list? We are really proud to source our meat from Michael’s Finer Meats & Seafoods in Columbus, Ohio. You can taste the quality in all of our meats as a result, especially the prime rib-eye bone-in 24-ounce steak, which we wet age for 31 days. Also, I am a big risotto guy, so if a dish is accompanied by one of my risottos, you are in for a treat!

Any foods you personally don’t like? While I was trained to never limit myself when it comes to food and to try it all, I do not know how people eat raw olives or dried fruit of any kind. Not for me, not even as a garnish.

What would readers be surprised to know about you? I once spent 10 days in a burn trauma center (thank you, healthcare workers and first responders!). Though fine now, while cooking on a flattop during a charity event in 2010, a butane canister malfunctioned and exploded, causing a fire more or less all over my upper body.

Ocean Prime, 5455 E. High Street #115, Phoenix; 480.347.1313; www.ocean-prime. com.