Our Staff

Nick Prastos
Founder & Chief Taste Tester

Nick started developing Le Gourmet Factory (LGF) in 2010. His love for food and business combined to spark a new concept aimed squarely at chefs and food business entrepreneurs. Nick’s understanding of the mechanics and economics of a start-up in a highly competitive industry helped him shape the concept and design for LGF. Prior to conceiving and developing LGF, Nick worked on Wall Street, gaining experience in strategy and market analysis. He moved to Hong Kong in 2008, where he ran development of business strategy in Southeast Asia and Taiwan for his employer. Upon moving back to New York in 2009, he decided to apply his skills and experience in a different direction. Le Gourmet Factory is the result of this move.

When Nick is not working, he enjoys nothing more than spending time with his friends and family. This usually involves some form of cooking and of course, eating. He looks forward to serving Le Gourmet Factory, its member chefs, and its students.

Chef Uve Toedter
Consultant, Le Gourmet Factory

Chef Uwe Toedter is a veteran chef, farm-to-table activist, and advocate of organic ingredients. His career has led him to a variety of countries. He has worked in luxury hotels, opened and operated a premier restaurant for Vista International Hotel in Washington D.C., as well as owned his own restaurant. Chef Toedter’s culinary achievements have earned him numerous prestigious awards and coveted memberships into exclusive culinary and hospitality organizations, including the American Culinary Federation, Epicurean Club of Washington D.C., Federation of Cuisine Exclusive de Europe, and Societe Culinaire Philantropique. Since 1998, Uwe has served as president of the Les Amis d’Escoffier Society of New York. He is also a member of the “Honorable Order of the Golden Toque.”

Chef Uwe Toedter’s innovative genius is not limited to fine dining and cuisine. His gourmet popcorn flavored with olive oil, onions, garlic, brown sugar, butter and chipotle is sold in restaurants and bars.

On a personal front, Uwe makes handmade fountain pens and wooden game boards. Toedter also lends his time to the Natalie Toedter Scholarship Foundation, which he established in 2004 in memory of his daughter to support women interested in pursuing a career in hospitality.