The Ingredients To Hard Rock Tampa’s Executive Chef Bill Gideon: Q&A #FoodieFriday

Meet  Executive Chef, Bill Gideon. He currently oversees all aspects of Food and Beverage at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa.

How did you get to where you are today?
Well, in this type of position you have to graduate to it. There is no other way than to slowly but surely work your way up. I’ve worked at five star resorts and owned several of my own restaurants. Now I have nine operations that I am overseeing within the casino and I manage over two hundred team members.

Describe a normal day for you.
As soon as I get in, I check all of my emails and then immediately start my circuit. My circuit starts in the Hard Rock Cafe and then Council Oak Steaks & Seafood. I make sure to shake the hands of everyone that works for me and ensure that everything is going well with them. In my opinion, team members are just as important as our casino guests. I like to make sure that team members see my face and know I am part of the team. After Council Oak I’ll make my way upstairs to Fresh Harvest, the pastry kitchen, Rise Kitchen & Bakery and then finish in the Employee Dining Room.

What’s your favorite thing about working in the casino industry?
It’s fun to have the ability to evolve and twist and turn. I call it the Rubik’s cube concept. You’re turning and turning until all the colors are right. Having the ability to do that in a place like this is so much fun and it’s a constant change. It never gets boring because you’re always doing new things.

What do you see happening in the future at the casino?
Well, we have a new concept coming that’s going to be very exciting. It will be more of an upscale restaurant. The Green Room has officially closed and we will start construction soon. Rise Kitchen & Bakery will go to 21 hours and Fresh Harvest will be serving breakfast for the next four to six weeks to accommodate the Green Room closure.

What’s your favorite dish to have at the casino?
I love comfort food, so I’d have to say one of the melt sandwiches from Rise. We bake the bread from scratch and I love a good sandwich. Meet Executive Chef, Bill Gideon. He currently oversees all aspects of Food and Beverage at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa.