Interview with Chad Livingston of Burlingame
If Amelia Island is a destination for food connoisseurs then Burlingame is one of its main attractions. With his fresh New American menu Chef Chad Livingston has created one of the finest restaurants on A.I. One that captures the essence of Amelia Island- relaxed, yet elegant.
Set in a tastefully renovated cottage in Historic Fernandina Beach, the aesthetic at Burlingame is one of clean, modern and relaxed sophistication. The path to the entrance curves ever so gently- an invitation to slow down and enjoy the experience to come. And its lush landscaping, complete with orange tree, hints at the farm to table menu.
As promised by the house and the garden, Livingston’s menu offers a selection of modern American dishes prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients. How do I know? Well, I could taste it, for one. And, when I asked Livingston about the background noise during our early morning phone interview, he shared that he was out shopping for the evening’s provisions- his daily tour of meat, fish and produce markets.
With such dedication to sourcing the finest ingredients, I had to know how Livingston developed a passion for cooking. “It started back in high school (Fernandina Beach High School) when my dad and I watched Emeril’s show on TV. I loved the show, and I loved how my father would recreate the dishes at home,” said Livingston. When it was time to make career and college plans, Livingston, a guitarist, dreamed of pursuing a career in music production or as an entrepreneur like his father. But when his best friend and classmate in his high school cooking class told him he was applying to culinary school, Livingston’s “wheels started turning.”
Before he knew it, he was accepted to the prestigious, Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and flying across the country to begin his formal training as a chef. He described the grueling 8 to 10 hour days in kitchen class like a job. He learned, by experience, the challenges of the restaurant business and began to wonder “if this lifestyle was for” him. As luck would have it, during this time of doubt, Livingston discovered Momofuko: A Cookbook, by David Chang and Peter Meehan, and he began to see cooking in a new light. He described Chang’s approach as “the rock and roll side of cooking,” and this inspired him. He visited one of Chang’s restaurants in New York City and was fascinated by the the “artistic, creative approach” that Chang took at his unique eatery- a small bar, packed tightly with customers and a shortlist of innovative menu items. This is when Livingston began to view cooking, not so much as a job, but as “an artistic endeavor.”
Fast forward to 2010 and, after 4 years away from home getting his certification and earning his stripes at award winning kitchens including Fruition in Colorado, Livingston was ready to return to Amelia Island. As it turns out, The Ritz-Carlton had recently opened one of its finest and most innovative restaurants, Salt, on their Amelia Island property and Livingston was determined to join the team. As he describes it, he “pestered management at The Ritz until they hired me.” He learned from the best at Salt and developed quite a following among regulars at the restaurant. Among them were Eric and Deb Fanelli who clearly recognized Livingston’s talent and ambition, and asked him if he’d thought about opening up his own restaurant.
Once again, Livingston’s “wheels were turning” and he saw the perfect opportunity to marry his culinary talents with his business sense. Before long, he and his wife, Lauren , were creating Burlingame in partnership with the Fanelli’s.
The partnership gave Livingston the freedom to focus on the menu, the kitchen, and the quality of the dining experience. They started out slowly, catering to fewer tables per night and focusing on developing a high-quality dining experience for the customers. This resulted in great reviews and the development of a strong following and reputation as a fine dining destination on Amelia Island.
His partners have since moved on, which was always the plan, and Livingston and Lauren, whom he credits with the hefty task of “keeping things running smoothly,” have embraced full ownership and all facets of the business. Clearly, they have everything it takes to run a successful, sophisticated restaurant in one of the fastest growing food scenes in Florida. You can feel it the moment you walk in. Whether it’s Lauren herself or another staff member, everyone is greeted with their signature graceful warmth, which sets the tone for a relaxing evening over amazing food and wine.
With all this talk of food and innovative cuisine, I had to ask Livingston about his favorite midnight snack. His answer, “that’s easy, pot stickers.” Given his love of David Chang’s creative cuisine, it’s no surprise that Livingston likes Asian food. And when he’s not creating new dishes at Burlingame or jamming with his band, you’ll find him and Lauren having pizza- his other favorite midnight snack- at First Love Brewing owned by friends and fellow entrepreneurs, Jessie and Kevin O’Brien.
Livingston is not only talented, humble and generous, he’s a wealth of information about the island. Don’t miss the chance to experience Chad and Lauren Livingston’s beautiful restaurant, Burlingame. It’s one of my favorite restaurants in all of Amelia Island, made all the more special after having the chance to talk to Chad one-on-one.
Reserve your table in the main dining room, the windowed porch (my personal favorite) or the outdoor courtyard, and enjoy the wonderful food, wine, service and atmosphere at Burlingame.
Photographs by
Dara Tice, Legacy26 Photography
Portrait of Chad Livingston is courtesy of @visitameliaisland
