Hello and welcome to my web page.  I am Tim Higares also known as The Intimate Gourmet. I have been cooking for over 30 years and specialize in what I call Global Cuisine. Taking the best and freshest ingredients from all cuisines to create beautiful and delicious culinary creations. My influences are many but I give special acknowledgement to the classic chefs of public television; Julia Child, Graham Kerr, Michael Chiarello and my TV mentor, Jacques Pepin. I grew up watching the classic chefs on PBS. A fun Saturday afternoon for me was watching the cooking shows on channel 9 for hours. I didn't know it at the time but they had a lifelong influence and watching them taught me everything I needed to know to become the chef I have become. 

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In 2005 I started The Intimate Gourmet catering company with the plan of doing small intimate catering events for 2 to 10 people. Some of my clients were Peter Albin from Big Brother and the Holding Company and Kaiser Permanente. The business model changed as the Food Network gained popularity and I started doing cooking demonstrations throughout the Central Valley.  Most recently I have created what the best pickles in the world. Using fresh Persian cucumbers and fresh herbs, I am proud of this one of a kind pickle creation.

 

So come on in and enjoy the site and let me share my passion with you!!