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My favorite month of the year at Rays is:
I love the winter months at Ray’s because the water speaks a different language with the wind and the ripples of the water and the height of the waves. I just think it is kind of cool!
When I'm not at Ray's, I'm probably:
Skiing, reading, enjoying some crazy food show or bowling. I would say mostly bowling. I have come within two pins of that perfect game!
My favorite dish at Ray's is:
The Kasu, out of this world! But, we have more of that to come.
The best job I ever had (besides Ray's!) was:
My paper route as a kid, because all you had to do was to be on time with the paper and everyone was happy!
The coolest place I've ever lived was:
Vail (Colorado) with San Francisco in a very close second. Greeley(Colorado) wasn’t bad either but the feedlots took away points.
The one thing you really need to know about Ray's is:
We have a passionate team that has a love for food and service.
If I could be a kid again for one day, I would spend it:
At Thanksgiving dinner with family and extended family.
My favorite month of the year at Rays:
Fall! I love the fruits that come into season, such as pumpkin and figs, and the leaves that change look so beautiful!
When I'm not at Ray's, I'm probably:
Playing tennis if it's nice out, or scrapbooking. I realize it's kind of geeky, but I thoroughly enjoy taking memories and jotting them down in a book with pictures.
My favorite dish at Ray's is:
I have to stick to my area of love and go with the quadruple chocolate mousse. It's absolutely amazing, decadent and delicious! And it doesn't hurt that I'm obsessed with chocolate.
The best job I ever had (besides Ray's!) was:
Being a bartender. Everyone is nice to the person that is getting them a beer :-) Plus, I'm an extremely social person and really enjoyed meeting people and the witty banter I could have with some of the guests.
The coolest place I've ever lived was:
England. My dad was in the military so we lived overseas in a little British town until we could live on base. It was such an adorable place and my sister and I even went to a British school. To this day, I can think of that cricket field behind our house and how she and I would play out on it with our friends.
The one thing you really need to know about Ray's is:
How friendly everyone is and how much like a family it is here. From the moment I walked through the door, everyone has been helpful, nice, and made me feel like I'm home.
If I could be a kid again for one day, I would spend it doing:
I know it sounds silly, but I would play all day, and then take two or three naps. Being an adult, you tend to work super long hours and get pretty exhausted by the end of the week. I constantly tell my friends that if I had known how much I was going to work when I got older, I never would have argued with my mom about naps. So, most definitely, I would spend some time napping.
My favorite month of the year at Rays:
January, as it is time to research the next version of our menu. I love poring through magazines and old books.
When I'm not at Ray's, I'm probably:
Shopping, gardening, reading, teaching my five-yr old son to kick a soccer ball
My favorite dish at Ray's is:
Salmon, in any form, no debate
The best job I ever had (besides Ray's!) was:
Grill cook at the Famous Pacific Fish Co. Grilling fish (over mesquite) is timeless. The perfection of it is an art.
The coolest place I've ever lived was:
London, as a study abroad student. It's like New York City but a bit more civil and sophisticated.
The one thing you really need to know about Ray's is:
We care about our guests, our culture, and our environment.
If I could be a kid again for one day, I would spend it:
Watching (and paying attention to) how my mother put dinner together every day - consciously, deliciously, reliably, wonderfully.
My favorite month of the year at Rays: April. Typically the first sign is the King Fisher perched on the pilings outside to say "hello Spring!"
When I'm not at Ray's, I'm probably: Walking through Seattle Parks I love the Arboretum! I love to help my husband Joe in the garden or enjoy a crisp glass of Rose while catching the sunset on my deck at home. When I have vacation time, I love to travel internationally.
My favorite dish at Ray's is: The new smoked scallop salad. It's light, yet full of flavor. We have the most amazing smoked scallops - they are like candy
The best job I ever had (besides Ray's!) was: I was a national trainer for Restaurants Unlimited. I was able to travel on the company dime, experience fabulous different cities and get the thrill of opening new properties.
The coolest place I've ever lived was:
Alameda, Calif. It was so close to the wine country and San Francisco Bay, and the weather was fantastic too!
The one thing you really need to know about Ray's is:
We put our team first and empower them to take exceptional care of their guests the way we take care of them.
If I could be a kid again for one day, I would spend it:
I would spend the day in Westport, crabbing with all of my family and friends. I would sit on the beach and eat as much crab as possible!
My favorite month of the year at Rays:
September - It's a great month that includes a balance of visitors still vacationing as well as an increase to our locals joining us again when the wait isn't as long. The weather is a little cooler but the views are still stunning.
When I'm not at Ray's, I'm probably:
Reading, shopping for shoes, gardening, enjoying coffee with girlfriends, having dinner parties in my back yard, exploring restaurants with my chef husband, bowling with my kids, or attending my kids’ many band and sporting events
My favorite dish at Ray's is:
It's always been Sake Kasu Sablefish but the Sea Scallops are a close runner up. The Kasu has it all, velvety texture, rich flavor, sweet & saltiness....delicious!
The best job I ever had (besides Ray's!) was:
The Longhouse Restaurant in LaConner. It has since closed but I was waiting tables at 16, becoming a leader within the restaurant even at that age and it is where I first met my husband, after serving his table! Yes, believe it or not we've been together since I was 18!!
The coolest place I've ever lived was:
I've always lived in the Puget Sound from Anacortes to Mill Creek to Ballard and now Edmonds. Edmonds has the charm and feel of a small town but is close and convenient to everything important to me and my family.
The one thing you really need to know about Ray's is:
The passion and commitment that is involved in Ray's runs incredibly deep. It encompasses our staff, guests, vendors and community. The web of Ray's connections spreads across the globe! Because I've been a part of it for so long, I often overlook what a big deal Ray's is on so many levels. When I do take that step back to consider it, it can be rather staggering.
If I could be a kid again for one day, I would spend it doing:
I'm a big Disney and theme park fan. My being a "kid for a day" would be spent in Orlando basking in Disney's magic.
My favorite month of the year at Rays:
October. Warm sun and cool fresh air.
When I'm not at Ray's, I'm probably:
Having dinner with people I love or being on my mountain bike.
My favorite dish at Ray's is:
Sake Kasu Sablefish. When guests ask what my favorite entrée is, I always mention this plate. I remember having it my first night at Ray's and thinking that it was quite possibly the best plate of seafood I had ever had.
The best job I ever had (besides Ray's!) was:
As a 17 year old runaway from the Southbay area of L.A., working as a cabana boy at Scheckters Cromwell Hotel in Miami Beach. What a trip!
The coolest place I've ever lived was:
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
The one thing you really need to know about Ray's is:
The people that work here are positively the most amazing group of "individuals" I have ever had the incredible good fortune of being surrounded with.
If I could be a kid again for one day, I would spend it:
Hanging out with my Boxer dog, Tango. He was definitely my very best childhood friend.
My favorite month of the year at Rays:
October. After a busy summer, it is time to bring it all inside and get cozy. I love the cool and crisp days, the change of birds and scenery, the rain and wind (believe it or not) and, it's time for me to find my straw hat and run away to Mexico until the next spring.
When I'm not at Ray's, I'm probably:
Between May and October, I'm probably out power walking, going to Pilates, hanging out with the kids, mowing mom's lawn, traveling, or my all time favorite...Happy Hour at one of the many fabulous restaurants in Ballard! It's all about R&D! From November to April, you will find me living in Mazatlan, Mexico and traveling to different countries around the world with Global Volunteers.
My favorite dish at Ray's is:
Sake Kasu. A signature dish that has been around for many years. It's my 'go to' recommendation for first time diners at Ray's and it's always a hit.
The best job I ever had (besides Ray's!) was:
Crewing and living on a sailboat in the Caribbean. The year before I started at Ray's, I lived in St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands) and my job was to take guests out on a beautiful 52' sailboat and serve them food, drinks and teach them how to snorkel.
The coolest place I have ever lived is:
Where I live now in Ballard! I feel so fortunate to live next to Ray's in the summer and on the beach in Mexico, during the winter.
The one thing you really need to know about Ray's is:
Ray's is a very unique place to work and dine. We are like a great big family with many, many friends that come over to visit every day!
If I could be a kid again for one day, I would spend it:
Playing! I'd do cartwheels, stand on my head, walk a balance beam, do a flip off a diving board, go on a roller coaster and not have a care in the world!
My favorite month of the year at Rays:
Probably November because I love to watch the storms come across the Sound and I LOVE our Thanksgiving Buffet.
When I'm not at Ray's, I'm probably:
Throwing a theme party at my house (my favorite is our tacky Hawaiian Shirt Luau), dining out, trying new recipes or I'm probably on Pinterest :)
My favorite dish at Ray's is:
The Thai mussels; I could bathe in that broth!
The best job I ever had (besides Ray's!) was:
Hosting at the Beach Café in Kirkland; it was the start of my restaurant career.
The coolest place I've ever lived was:
I have only lived in Washington, but it is on my "Bucket List" to live in another state for at least a year. I also dream of moving to Australia but I'm still trying to convince my family.
The one thing you really need to know about Ray's is:
We're just a big family and we care about each other a lot. We are all committed to continuing to make Ray's a great place to work and dine.
If I could be a kid again for one day, I would spend it doing:
Playing outside on a swing set and eating ice cream for breakfast, lunch and dinner
My favorite month at Ray's is:
May. I was hired at Ray's in May, but that is not why it’s my favorite month. I still remember having my first bite of fresh salmon when I was in training. I had never tasted seafood like that--it was so delicious!
When I'm not at Ray's, I'm probably:
Reading and writing (I'm an English major). My bookshelf includes everything from The Works of Shakespeare to The Hunger Games. It's a big bookshelf! I also love to go on local road trips to explore the Northwest, photography, and gardening.
My favorite dish at Ray's is:
The fresh salmon that starts to come in the spring. I grew up in the Midwest and was basically raised on red meat. I rarely (no pun intended) eat red meat now, I love the flavors of the Northwest too much! Every year, I look forward to May rolling around, all the fresh salmon that comes in, Copper River, Taku River, and my favorite is Yukon River. And of course the amazing Oregon Pinot Noir's that I pair with the salmon makes a beautiful meal!
The best job I ever had was (besides Ray’s) was:
Not actually a job! It was being a student at UW. I was practically living off coffee and peanut butter sandwiches, taking naps in the parking garage between classes and working at Ray’s, and studying all night. I loved every minute of it.
The coolest place I ever lived was:
Fort Belvoir, Virginia where I was stationed in the service. My buddies and I were able to go to Washington, D.C. on the weekends and visit the national museums and monuments. I love history. And the partying that we did was great fun too!
The one thing that you need to know about Ray’s is:
The people who work here put all of their hearts and souls into making it successful from the bottom to the top of the ranks. We are an amazing team and awesome to watch - and sometimes well over 1000 guests come through our doors daily.
If I could be a kid again for one day, I would spend it:
Playing baseball with my six older siblings and the neighborhood kids in our backyard that seemed to go on forever, racing our bikes around and around the block, playing tag, London Bridges, Red Rover, and Hopscotch. We would play from morning until it turned dark and then do the same thing over the next day all summer long.
My favorite month of the year at Rays is:
December. I love the holidays and especially watching the Christmas Ships as they pass Ballard. The bright lights on the pitch black water is a fantastic sight.
When I'm not at Ray's, I'm probably:
Seeing what Martha Stewart is up to; I am obsessed!
The best job I ever had (besides Ray's!):
When I used to bartend at art gallery openings. It was an unique experience to mingle with iconic artists that I wouldn't have otherwise had the opportunity to meet.
The coolest place I've ever lived was:
Hawaii. The notion of "Island Time" is truly spectacular. If I could only wear flip flops the rest of my life it would be fine with me.
The one thing you really need to know about Ray's is that:
Everyone here is genuinely passionate about making sure our guests have a positive experience. And the Cafe Happy Hour is awesome.
If I could be a kid again for one day:
I would spend it Trick-or-treating! Dressing up in a costume and getting tons of candy…it doesn't get any better than that.
My favorite month of the year at Ray's is:
Hard to choose between March and September. Growing up in the country, I love all the seasons and savor the distinctness of each. September probably wins out just for the ability to get out for more hikes in the mountains!
When I'm not at Ray's, I'm:
Probably enjoying time with my two children, or teaching/selling wine or creating art. I also spend a good amount of time in yoga practice and walking/running our dog too. My kids and I are foodies and spend time cooking, enjoying great food and being outdoors.
The best job I ever had (besides Ray's!) was:
Several years ago when I managed a wine shop and bistro. That spurred my passion for wine and food, and was a true spark of inspiration and community.
The coolest place I've ever lived was:
Samish Island. It was our family home and we spent the summers with our Nana there. Our cousins would come out from all edges of the state and we would spend our days clamming, crabbing, fishing, swimming and feasting!
The one thing you really need to know about Ray's is:
I have not met one person here that does not care about the quality of our product, service and delivery. Not just a well-oiled machine, but a fantastic community of dedicated professionals.
If I could be a kid again for one day, I would:
Spend it at the beach with my siblings, cousins and Nana, diving off the dock, inner tube races, crab fights, Yahtzee and fresh seafood!
My favorite month of the year at Rays:
May! On the cusp of summer, bright sunny mornings, cool breeze in the air – what’s not to love?!
When I'm not at Ray's, I'm probably:
Scoping out the latest in the Seattle food scene, walking/jogging around Greenlake or touring the Ballard Farmers Market on Sundays.
My favorite dish at Ray's is:
Pan seared Alaskan Ling Cod with mushroom ragout, jasmine rice, anchovy-chervil beurre blanc. With the Cod perfectly seared to the layering of flavors - earthy mushrooms, fragrant jasmine rice, finished with a creamy beurre blanc...YUM!
The best job I ever had (besides Ray's!) was:
Production Assistant for a Food Network show. Not only was this a great experience in learning the "behind the scenes" operations of television, it also was instrumental in leading me to meet my future husband!
The coolest place I've ever lived was:
New York City! The food, fashion, culture and endless opportunities made living in NYC the coolest place I’ve ever lived.
The one thing you really need to know about Ray's is:
The talent of Chef Wayne extends beyond the kitchen. Chef Wayne is also deeply committed to bettering the community and donates much of his time to wonderful causes.
If I could be a kid again for one day, I would spend it:
In my grandparent’s bakery, La Texanita. Where the aromas of pan dulce and fresh tortillas filled the air, I would watch my grandfather bake Mexican sweets while my grandmother soaked barrels of corn for masa.
My favorite month of the year at Rays:
October! Still plenty of sunlight, but temperatures are mild, and it’s really nice to be outside.
When I'm not at Ray's, I'm probably:
Either out on my road bike or at the track racing cars.
My favorite dish at Ray's is:
Tuna Nicoise salad in the Café. Absolutely delicious, and lots of veggies!
The best job I ever had (besides Ray's!) was:
I’ve worked at only three places in my life, and Ray’s is the best!
The coolest place I've ever lived was:
Germany in the early 80’s when my Dad was stationed there for the Army. How awesome is it to grow up travelling all over Europe experiencing the history, food, and culture?
If I could be a kid again for one day, I would spend it:
Still acting like a kid now! Pretty sure I’m still doing the same dumb stuff now that I was doing then.
My favorite month of the year at Ray's:
November. The most spectacular sunsets that you will ever see are at this time of year!
When I'm not at Ray's, I'm probably:
Working in my yard, going for walks or spending time with my husband, family and friends.
My favorite dish at Ray's is:
Chatham Strait Sablefish in Sake Kasu. The texture and flavors of this dish is amazing. The Sablefish melts in your mouth!
The best job I ever had (besides Ray's!) was:
My first job when I was 16 years old, working at Buddy Squirrel’s Candy Shop at Aurora Village Mall with three of my girlfriends.
The coolest place I've ever lived was:
I was born and raised in Seattle, and have lived here all my life!
The one thing you really need to know about Ray's is:
It’s a unique, energetic, and amazing place.
If I could be a kid again for one day, I would spend it:
Going to an amusement park and riding every fast, crazy roller coaster there was and having no fear!
My favorite month of the year at Ray's:
April - the month I got hired here! The people and work environment is wonderful. Plus the food is fabulous!
When I'm not at Ray's, I'm probably:
On the golf course or hanging with my family and playing with my kids.
My favorite dish at Ray's is:
The Chatham Strait Sablefish with Sake Kasu. The fish is so light and fresh. The combination of the sauce and veggies is absolutely delicious . It is like having a party for your taste buds! YUM!!!!
The best job I ever had (besides Ray's!) was:
Owning and operating my own grocery store. From helping my customers, to serving the direct community. I loved working with some of the best organic produce and food in area. I loved creating an environment that was creative and fun to be in.
The coolest place I've ever lived was:
Sun Valley, Idaho. I spent several summers there from high school through college. The outdoors, weather and atmosphere is unbelievable. Plus they have some great golf courses, truly breathtaking! The people in that area are wonderful as well.
The one thing you really need to know about Ray's is:
We do full service off-site catering. For any size event from 10 people in a private home or boat or up to 1,000 people for corporate events or weddings. We can bring the Ray’s experience to you!
If I could be a kid again for one day, I would spend it:
Playing 27 to 36 holes of golf on a nice hot summer day with my dad and some buddies somewhere in Idaho, then riding my bike to the pool and spending the evening swimming.
My favorite month of the year at Rays:
I'd say August, with weddings galore and perfect Pacific Northwest weather and sunshine. There is nothing more beautiful than the view at Ray's on a sunny summer day!
When I'm not at Ray's, I'm probably:
Still being relatively new to Seattle, I love to explore the city - whether to hike a local trail, take a road trip, or enjoy a downtown happy hour with friends. I also love to travel, so when I can, I like to visit my friends and family throughout the world.
My favorite dish at Ray's is:
The Sake Kasu. I love the flakey delicateness of the sable fish and the layers of flavors and textures.
The best job I ever had (besides Ray's!) was:
Working as a server and banquet coordinator at a local family owned restaurant called Sirens in Williamstown, Australia. It has a very fun, seaside atmosphere, with amazing Greek influenced food.
The coolest place I've ever lived was:
Melbourne, Australia. I spent a year abroad there my junior year of university. My mother and step-father lived there for many years. It is one of the most culturally diverse and exciting places to live. Some of the greatest people I have met and are friends with reside in this city. I recommend everyone visit Australia at some point in their life.
The one thing you really need to know about Ray's is:
The view is just as amazing as the food and the people who work here!
If I could be a kid again for one day, I would spend it: With my Grandma and Grandpa DuBray. They are two of the most interesting, loving and supportive people and inspire me daily to be the best at everything I do and have pride in doing it.
