Adam, 31 (Philadelphia, PA) is an actor and server who has made the kitchen his stage! Adam is the former owner of The Smoked Joint – a BBQ joint he ran with his brother that brought ‘the barbeque experience’ to Philly. Currently starting up a catering company, he constantly searches for new ways to bring easy, approachable meals to the table with a side of fun.

About Me: I’m 30 years old, but I behave like a very mature 16 year old. I love life and the constant adventures it brings. I’ve never worked a 9 to 5 job and I hope I never do. I’ve been acting since I was in the 4th grade and have always loved being on stage. My obsession with food began when I was a young kid. I just loved eating and the limitless pleasure I could get out of a single piece of cheese. I loved it a little too much as I also attended Weight Watcher meetings when I was a young shopper of the husky section and often had to testify in front of a group of strangers about my cola and margarine consumption. I later started learning how to cook for myself and I then became fascinated with the science side of food. How does bread bake? Why does cheese melt? And so forth.

In college, while studying theater I worked as a short order cook, and took all the food science classes which were available to me. It was during these college years that I frequented the Dinosaur Barbecue and my passion for smoked food developed.

I spent about five years after college acting in New York and Los Angeles. I did regional, children’s, and way off Broadway theater. I’ve appeared on "Saturday Night Live"(very close to Will Farrell), "All My Children"( I had one very exciting line about catching a plane to Puerto Vallarta) and "Change Of Heart"(the cheesiest of cheesy late-night dating shows).

While living in California I developed the recipes for a barbecue concept that my brother and I were working on. In 2004, when my brother and his business partner received a business loan in Philadelphia, I hung up my acting dreams to pursue a career in the very secure restaurant industry and The Smoked Joint: A Barbecue Experience was born with me as its executive chef. The restaurant received excellent reviews and had a loyal following. However, we were forced to close our doors after two years for a myriad of business reasons. I learned a lot during this time about myself, running a kitchen, producing consistent product and how to manage employees. The closing was tough on all of us. I didn’t cook at all for almost a year. Not even eggs. I love eggs.

After The Joint closed I began working as a server at Amada, an excellent Spanish tapas restaurant in Philadelphia. I returned to performing and have recently appeared with Tongue n Groove, a long form improvisational theatre company, and in multiple shows with Brat productions, a Philadelphia indie theater company.

After almost two years of licking my wounds, I have rediscovered my passion for cooking and re-sparked my grill. I’m currently working on a new boutique catering business which will allow me to cook and entertain people at there homes or events and not have to deal with the headache of having a permanent location.

Education:
High School: attended BOCES cultural arts center for two years studying theatre. Graduated Commack High School in ‘95
College: Syracuse University BFA Drama ‘99
Post: Having your own restaurant school of Hard Knocks ‘06

Employer: Amada Restaurant
Position: Server
Description:
City/Town: Philadelphia
Time period working there: Almost two years

Website: www.adamgertler.com (read less)

Adam, 31 (Philadelphia, PA) is an actor and server who has made the kitchen his stage! Adam is the former owner of The Smoked Joint – a BBQ joint he ran with his brother that brought ‘the barbeque experience’ to Philly. Currently starting up a catering company, he constantly searches for new ways to bring easy, approachable meals to the table with a side of fun.

About Me: I’m 30 years old, but I behave like a very mature 16 year old. I love life and the constant adventures it brings. I... (read more)

Activities: Cooking, performing (improv, theatre, Karaoke), running, climbing, jumping, sleeping, eating
Interests: Rock-n-Roll, Marvel comics, theater, films (arty and blowupy)
Favorite Music: Rolling Stones, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, and some new stuff
Favorite TV shows: The Wire, Lost, Heroes (1st season), The Office (both versions), Arrested Development, Extras, The Next Food Network Star (4th Season)
Favorite Books: Joy of Cooking, One Flew over The Cuckoos Nest, The Dark Night Returns, Bob Dylan’s Chronicles part 1
Favorite Movies: Robocop, Sexy Beast, Big Night, Fight Club, All 80’s Arnold films(especially Predator), No Country For Old Men, The Last Waltz, Gimme Shelter, The Big Lebowski
Favorite Quotes: "The dude abides"- Jeffery “The Dude” Lebowski
(read less)

Activities: Cooking, performing (improv, theatre, Karaoke), running, climbing, jumping, sleeping, eating
Interests: Rock-n-Roll, Marvel comics, theater, films (arty and blowupy)
Favorite Music: Rolling Stones, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, and some new stuff
Favorite TV shows: The Wire, Lost, Heroes (1st season), The Office (both versions), Arrested Development, Extras, The Next Food Network Star (4th Season)
Favorite Books: Joy of Cooking, One Flew over The Cuckoos Nest, The Dar... (read more)