IN PROFILE: Tom McGrath
BACKGROUND: “I started in the food and beverage business by training to become a chef at the Culinary Institute in New York. I worked for Emeril Lagasse at Delmonico in Las Vegas before becoming executive chef for the steakhouse at the Hard Rock and later Fix in the Bellagio.”
FIRST JOB: “I’ve only been in Pahrump for four months but I’ve worked for Golden Gaming for three years.
“In the past, as a business we have supported the local charities and worked with them by offering discounts, donations of gift certificates for meals from the three properties as raffle prizes and we do, on occasion, donate the space for charity functions.
“I haven’t addressed those community services yet, but I’m all for it.”
PERSONAL: “I got into beer through cooking and brew my own beer in my garage. I pick up random hobbies. Right now I’m building a remote control car that will do 80 mph.”
BUSINESS CLIMATE:
“I think business here depends a lot on community support. The community needs to work together. It’s not like this in Las Vegas. You can build relationships and if you cater to the local population, you get instant feedback. The sense of community is my favorite part of Pahrump.
