wine & culinary arts festival

chefs

Damien Watel
Chef/Owner/Proprietor studied at the Ecole de Cuisine Promhote in Paris and trained for years in Paris restaurants until he eventually moved to Dallas. In 1993 Damien accepted an offer to buy his Dallas venture, 'Watels' and came to San Antonio, where he became the Chef in a new concept venture called Cafe Soleil, consequentially leading it to become a prominent fixture among San Antonio's fine restaurants. Since opening Bistro Vatel in 1999, Chef Watel has quickly become a leader in San Antonio's premiere restaurant circle, adding his Italian creation, Ciao Lavanderia shortly after the Bistro. Chef Watel continues his success with his third concept, a Belgian themed restaurant located in the King William district 'La Frite Belgian Bistro' and a new wine bar, 'Ciao Vino'.