ALEXANDER'S STEAKHOUSE in Cupertino has been embraced by vegetarians, carnivores and fish lovers alike thanks to the diverse and imaginative culinary skills of executive chef Jeffrey Stout. Providing refined cuisine in a stylish setting with an Asian flair serves as the foundation of a restaurant that defies easy categorization and continues to innovate. Along with co-owner James "J.C." Chen, Stout remains ambitious in his efforts to deliver dishes without compromise.

Before Alexander's, Stout worked as research and development chef for the California Cafe restaurant group and spent time at the Blackhawk Grille in Danville, the Fourth Street Grill in Berkeley and Napa Valley's Domaine Chandon. A Bay Area native, Stout grew up with a Japanese mother and an Anglo father, an upbringing he says formed his Asian and European cooking style.

Chef Spotlight is a regularly occurring feature leading up to Silicon Valley Restaurant Week, Oct. 14–21. Each week, I will profile a chef involved in SVRW. For more information about the event, please go to www.siliconvalleyrestaurantweek.com.

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