What does it take to build a restaurant empire in the Pacific Northwest — starting from scratch at age 15, living on your own, and working in kitchens before most kids can drive? 🍽️ In this episode of Bellevue Bound, host Anna sits down with Chef John Howie — the award-winning restaurateur behind Sea Star Restaurant & Raw Bar, John Howie Steak, Beardslee Public House, and Wildwood Spirits Co. Chef Howie opens up about growing up in Bellevue, WA, his early kitchen days on Main Street, and how decades of passion, persistence, and generosity have made him one of the most celebrated culinary figures in the Pacific Northwest. From foraging morel mushrooms in the Issaquah Alps to competing on national television at the Super Bowl's Taste of the NFL — and yes, making crab dip in a hotel bathroom at midnight — this conversation is as entertaining as it is inspiring. 🏆 James Beard Award nominee | Author of Passion & Palate | $10M+ raised for charity Whether you're a foodie, a hospitality professional, a travel lover exploring Bellevue's culinary scene, or just someone who loves a great comeback story — this one is for you.