SAUGUS — Before Don Doward was a world-renowned cook who worked with chefs including Julia Child, Frank Guiffrida denied him a job.
The chef, who went on to work at the Hilltop Steakhouse for 36 years, said he was grateful the restaurant owner turned him away for lack of experience the first time he applied for a Hilltop position.
“He made sure people there were good at their jobs,” he said.
Three decades later Doward was running the place.
The chef, who has 45 years of experience in the restaurant industry, will give a cooking demonstration on healthy, nutritious meals and share samples with the audience.
Since the time he spent sizzling steaks at the lively place behind the iconic, neon cactus on Route 1, his background has shifted to the nutritional food industry.
Doward, who has more than 20 years experience in the fitness world as an ISSA certified fitness trainer, master trainer, and certified nutritional meal designer, will give a cooking demonstration and share samples at the Saugus Public Library on May 1.
He will demonstrate cooking healthy, nutritious meals.
Two years ago, Doward visited the library to talk about nutrition. In an hour-long seminar sponsored by the Friends of the Saugus Library, Doward, who now works as a fitness, diet and lifestyle consultant, offered tips for purchasing food in a restaurant and a store, and talked about the basics of fitness.
Among healthy eating tips, he told a packed audience that portion control goes a long way. At the Hilltop, the steaks had to look proportionate on the massive plates placed in front of hungry patrons. He recommended cutting the meal in half and packing half in a takeout container before taking the first bite.
The demonstration will begin at 6 p.m.
