New Chef Takes Over at Athens Country Club

Athens Country Club Chef Saul Ramirez, left, with kitchen manager Lupe DeLa Cruz.
Athens Country Club Chef Saul Ramirez, left, with kitchen manager Lupe DeLa Cruz.

By Michael V. Hannigan

The new chef at the Athens Country Club is certifiable … and he has the documentation to prove it.

Saul Ramirez, who has been at the country club for two months, is a Certified Executive Chef by the American Culinary Federation. Cindy Davis, the general manager at the Athens Country Club, said Ramirez is the first certified executive chef in the club’s history.

He has a pretty simple message: “If you are a member here, why would you want to drive to Dallas or Tyler when you can have the same type of meal here for a modest price?”

Ramirez describes his style as a fusion of Californian, Tex-Mex and European, and he really enjoys using French inspired sauces using wines.

“Everything derives from the French,” he said, but added, “You need to know your clientele. They are the ones who are going to dictate what your style is.”

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Ramirez, 46, doesn’t only have education and training, but also experience. Before coming to Athens, he spent several years as executive chef at the First Council Casino and Hotel in Newkirk, Okla. There, he was in charge of more than 120 cooks and chefs who produced nearly $6.5 million in annual revenue.

So why go from casinos to a country club, despite the visible presence of great entertainment like Slotocash casino?

“I like it here,” he said. “Athens is small, there is no traffic. People are nicer.”

He also has aspirations outside the kitchen. Ramirez is not only certified as an executive chef, but also as an administrator and is nearing his certification as an educator.

“I would like to partner up with the (TVCC) and start a food and beverage program,” he said. “That’s one of the goals I have.”

Talking to Ramirez, it quickly becomes apparent the importance he places on education and planning.

“Like Benjamin Franklin used to say, fail to plan – plan to fail,” he said.

He wants to instill that same ethic into his staff. “I always, always promote certification,” he said. “Yes it takes time, money and effort, but the results are great. In the future I am going to take my staff to food shows and show them how to do competitions.”

Ramirez has a wife and two daughters (ages 12 and 16) who are currently in Mexico, which gives him the time he needs to settle into the new job. It also gives his children a chance to work on their Spanish, which is important to the bilingual Ramirez.

“If you want to learn a language you have to be exposed to it 100 percent,” he said. “Although I am here by myself, it allows me to be here (at the club) more and put in the time I need to put in.”