[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 146 (Thursday, September 19, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H5508]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CONGRATULATING DAVID PINCKNEY

  (Mr. BURCHETT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BURCHETT. Madam Speaker, I congratulate my dear friend, chef Dave 
Pinckney, on his retirement from the Cherokee Country Club.
  David has worked in the food industry since he was 16 years old, 
washing dishes at The Orangery, which was a very nice restaurant. As a 
matter of fact, at the time it was a 4-star restaurant in Knoxville.
  Eight years later, David became the restaurant's executive chef. I 
went there one time with a very nice family. The Burchetts usually 
didn't dine at places like that. They didn't take coupons.
  I was amazed to find that the menu was written in French. I was a 
little embarrassed, didn't know what to do, and the waiter said: Sir, 
the chef would like to prepare you something special.
  When it came out, it was two small grilled steaks with some ketchup 
in the middle. It saved me from embarrassment, and I was fed. That was 
my dear friend, Dave Pinckney. He is a fraternity brother of mine.
  My heart goes out to Dave. He just lost his dad who was a dear UT 
professor and was idolized by people on the UT campus and all around 
the State of Tennessee.
  In 2006, Dave took a new job, though, as Cherokee Country Club's new 
executive chef, again, a country club I am not a member of.
  As Jackie Gleason said: I would not join a country club that would 
have someone like me.
  Clearly, I am not in line to be in the membership roles there.
  He is known for dedicating himself to making high-quality meals and 
making sure every customer enjoyed the food he brings to them.
  He also taught cooking classes, he helped his friends open popular 
restaurants of their own, and he has appeared on several TV shows to 
showcase his cooking skills.
  The Cherokee Country Club has been lucky to have him, and I wish him 
well in his retirement.

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