Chef Christopher Olson’s inspiration to become a chef started at an early age. During childhood, Chef Chris learned his way around the kitchen by watching his grandmother and mother cook. Eventually, he started taking over cooking holiday dinners and for family gatherings. After Chef Chris realized his true passion in life was cooking, he began experimenting with trendy, cultural styles.

Chef Chris’s first position as sous chef took place in Lenox, Massachusetts at a luxurious seasonal resort. There, he worked alongside a team to create New England fare that used fresh, local flavors. After returning to his hometown of Naples, Florida, Chef Chris became a sous chef at Baleen. There, he learned how to create, prep and execute fast-paced fine dining dishes under high pressure. You could say that is where Chef Chris feels most in his element.

Today, Chef Chris serves as chef de cuisine at the pristine Vineyards Country Club. Since joining the team in late 2019, he has created multiple menus and even specialty ice creams! “I love having fun in the kitchen and creating a variety of dishes for the members at the Club,” he said. Chef Chris is always open to suggestions for improvement as well as any special requests. You can usually find him in Mr. P’s Pub, doing what he loves most: serving! When not at work, Chef Chris enjoys cooking at home for family and friends. One of his newest hobbies is creating healthy baby foods for his six month-old son, Benson.