Eric Anderson is the chef and owner of Samara, located in the Sunset Hill neighborhood of Seattle. Samara is a comfortable, intimate wood-fueled bistro offering a seasonal menu that celebrates local vegetables, sustainable seafood and heritage breed animals. Learn about Eric Anderson…
Hometown: Chicago, IL
First job: Italian beef sandwich shop
Favorite ways to spend your free time in WA: Exploring the Olympic Peninsula and the coast. Here in Seattle, I enjoy finding the best views of the sun setting over the Puget Sound, walking the dogs and working in the yard.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: Work wise, I’m proud of the restaurant we built with Mutuus Studio, and I’m especially proud of our little team keeping us moving forward.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: I think we’re still working through it.
Someone who inspires you and why: Recently, documentaries about rock climber Alex Honnold and artist Andy Goldsworthy. Beyond setting and achieving incredible goals, their creativity, resilience, patience and respect for the natural world is inspiring.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: Find a mentor. Put your head down and work carefully, quickly and neatly. Respect the restaurant, the ingredients, and the guest.
Favorite quote: “I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” —Michael Jordan
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: I’ve never been to Mexico. Or Canada.
What makes someone fabulous: Kindness!