Glenn Lyman, chef and owner of G|Cooks
Chef Glenn Lyman can’t remember a time when he didn’t cook. Drawn to food preparation as a child, his love of culinary arts continued through high school, where he would prepare meals for the couples before they all rushed off to the high school dance. But, according to Glenn, he “really learned to cook on people's porches at the University of Dayton [Ohio].” And that passion continues to this day. Glenn likes to joke that his wife hasn’t had to make more than 10 meals in the past 10 years. The funny part is…it’s not a joke at all. Glenn even made baby food for his children when they were young.
Home Plate Personal Chef Services
In 2003, Glenn founded a company called Home Plate Personal Chef Service, through which he grew, and continues to grow, his personal chef and chef placement businesses. As Glenn likes to say: “Don’t drive-thru, drive home.” His stock rose quickly when he became personal chef to NBA Megastar LeBron James. He now works closely with 4-time NASCAR Cup Champion Jeff Gordon, NFL, 5-time Pro-Bowl WR Steve Smith, and 3-time Pro-Bowl LB Jon Beason with the Carolina Panthers.
The new brand: G|Cooks
Today, Glenn is involved in a number of fascinating and related culinary endeavors that all fall under the parent company brand: GCooks. The majority of Glenn’s time is spent providing personal chef services, working with professional athletes (either as a personal chef or by placing personal chefs with athletes in other cities), and furthering his reputation as a grilling and barbecue authority.
In addition, Glenn has become a successful product developer, creating a line of four GCooks seasonings. Restaurants, professional sports teams and food service companies have called on Glenn to improve the quality and nutrition of their menu items, as well as develop new seasonings. Glenn has made several appearances on Fox television and was a featured chef at Sunset magazine’s Celebration Weekend 2009, the massive food and garden show that drew 25,000 attendees. Glenn is Official Chef for Lynx Professional Grills.
A very patient approach
Whatever Glenn is doing at any given moment, he believes in the power of patience – cooking it “low and slow.”
“I believe in food. But more importantly, I believe in the idea of food,” explains Glenn. “Food is only 20% of the experience. The rest is the pleasure of gathering, celebrating and enjoying. You get to hear the sounds...smell the great smells,” he adds. His simple advice: “Eat like you mean it.”
Glenn’s specialties include a variety of cuisines and home-style meals that are re-created in the most healthful way to ensure the finest quality and nutrition possible. Every one of his culinary creations is different than the one before – improvised and customized to match the tastes and nutritional needs of even the most regimented athlete. He is passionate about using the freshest local ingredients. And Glenn heartily supports the mission of family dinner – using meals as the centerpiece of quality time for families.
New to the Carolinas
Long-time residents of dining hot spot, Cleveland, Ohio, Glenn and his family recently moved to Charlotte, North Carolina where he is thriving in the local NFL, NBA and NASCAR circles. Some of his clients include Steve Smith, Jon Beason, Na'il Diggs and Dan Morgan.
Contact Glenn Lyman at GCooks. • Become a fan of GCooks on Facebook.
