The newly opened Tim Love concept Barter is becoming a hot spot in Dallas’ Uptown neighborhood, but the real magic is happening in the kitchen directed by Executive Chef Andrew Dilda. I recently sat down with Dilda, who surprised me in several ways, to gain insight as to how he landed the gig and where he hopes to take Barter.
So, we know a little bit about you. You came from Woodshed, but where did you get your start?
AD: I grew up in Northern California as part of a traveling military family. My dad would make it a point to expose us to Sonoma, where I had my first culinary experience and helped develop my passion for cooking. I knew what I wanted to do from that point but I got into science and engineering. We moved to Texas when I was 13 and a couple of years later I found myself at Reata in Fort Worth. After working my way around Fort Worth, I landed at Central Market and worked there for 7 years.
How did you and Tim (Love) meet?
AD: After getting tired of being at Central Market, I reached out to Tim and he clued me in about Woodshed. Soon after he asked if I wanted to be a part of the project and I was sold. I was into the idea of learning how to smoke meats and before too long I was getting down to a scientific process. It was just a good deal all around.
You left Woodshed, what happened next?
AD: I reached a point where I wanted to grow even more and gain some new techniques. CBD Provisions was just starting to hire on kitchen staff and I made my transition. Michael gave me perspective on working with new cuts of meat and new styles of charcuterie during my time there, but I wanted to move up from sous chef and have my own place. Cue Tim Love.
Now you’re here at Barter, full circle.
AD: Tim (Love) always wanted me back at Woodshed so we kept in touch and 6 months down the road he reached out with this project. I came in and helped shape the menu and added in my ideas to what he had in mind, and the rest is history. The menu is a homogenization of Lonesome Dove and The Woodshed to a degree. I have so much respect for Dallas chefs and I drew some inspiration from them. I drafted an amazing line up of chefs here and I feel like I have it all.
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You can visit Dilda and his artillery of culinary rockstars over at Barter on McKinney Ave. Make your reservations here
