Chef Dave Locke Elevates Dining with Customized Culinary Experiences

Food is at the center of many of our special moments — get-togethers, celebrations, family gatherings, weddings, you name it. From delectable delicacies to full-course meals, food often sits center stage, pulling us in with a mouth-watering invitation. Chef Dave Locke understands the role food plays in our lives, and his new business aims to bring family and communities together through exceptional food experiences.

Locke is a born and bred Hoosier. His Indiana roots run deep, and his goal is to bring classic chef training and years of experimentation to his home state with his private chef business, DL Cuisine. As a child growing up in Indianapolis, he loved cooking with his mother and was fascinated by the love and care she put into every meal, from the one-pot wonders she curated to elaborate meals that required fine china.

“It always amazed me what she could do with just a few ingredients, but the thing I remember the most was the love she put into each and every meal,” he says.

He aims to bring that same dedicated care to his clients, channeling his childhood love into a new business offering.

“My calling and passion has been, and always will be, preparing locally sourced food with bold flavors. What inspired me to become a chef is the ability to foster a sense of love, connection and community through the power of great food. Food brings family and friends together,” says Locke.

Locke attended Johnson and Wales University, one of the top Culinary Arts colleges in the United States. After graduating, he worked at some of the most prestigious restaurants in Boston, including Coriander Bistro, Aura Restaurant, Franklin Café and Franklin Southie. He also catered some of the most extravagant weddings at the Newport Mansions and prepared meals for corporate events. Now that he has made Indiana his home again, he plans to reflect his East Coast training into the business.

“I meld my classical training by combining East Coast ingredients with Midwest fare — a staple of my roots growing up in Indianapolis. Over time, my cooking has evolved into a more modern approach where I can take bits and pieces from my travels and experiences, including areas such as New England, the Caribbean, Hawaii and Europe. Melding different styles together makes my offerings truly special,” says Locke.

DL Cuisine offers customized culinary experiences for individuals, families and businesses that can be catered for small and large events or provided in an in-home setting. Cooking classes are available for groups up to six people. But this isn’t just your average catering service. Locke is elevating food from a meal to an experience.

DL Cuisine offers themed evenings that take your run-of-the-mill night out for drinks and transform it into an unforgettable experience. Examples include ladies/bros night in, where a small group can enjoy a relaxing night while learning culinary skills suitable for a gathering of friends; a romantic date night for up to three couples with candle-lit plated dinners without facing the restaurant reservation hustle; and a build-your-own-dinner family night, where everyone can jump in to learn some dinner-making skills while getting quality time with those they love.

Locke also encourages clients to call or text him with any special requests. He caters to any and all food preferences and allergies and will captivate whatever audience you have with flavors that entice and skills to delight.

Some of his signature dishes include “slammin’ salmon,” served with fingerling potatoes and garlic-tossed broccoli; hard-seared sea scallops topped with beurre monte sauce, fondant potatoes and a warm leek and arugula salad; and pan-seared halibut over herbed couscous with crisp asparagus tips.

To contact DL Cuisine or learn more about Locke’s offerings, visit dlcuisine317.com.