10 thoughts: Ford Fry

Ford Fry is the Atlanta-based chef/owner of Rocket Farm Restaurants, which include JCT. Kitchen & Bar, No. 246, The Optimist and King & Duke.

1. One thing you don’t know about me is that I’m a closet Barry Manilow fan. When I was a kid and went skiing in Colorado, we had an eight-track player with only three tapes. We listened to Mandy every spring and winter.

2. If I could trade places with one chef it would be Victor Arguinzoniz from Spain’s Asador Etxebarri. I’m amazed at the product he gets to cook with and his wood-burning techniques.

3. One of my most memorable meals was at Tertulia in New York City. I really dig chef Seamus Mullen’s style, simplicity and flavors.

4. If there were no scallops or butter, I’d have no reason to live.

5. My go-to drink is a Margarita with a bit of fresh grapefruit juice.

6. If I were on death row my last meal would be a whole bucket of lard-fried chicken. That way I would die before they killed me.

7. My worst culinary creation happened when I was trying to use my smoker for the first time. Lighter fluid was not my friend. Way too much smoke, plus the flavors of lighter fluid were not so yummy.

8. If I could change one thing about me it would be my hair. I always wanted surfer hair.

9. My favorite junk food is spice drops—the $1 spiced gummies you get on road trips.

10. If I wasn’t a restaurant operator, I’d love to be a pro-tour tennis player—short shorts, headband and all.