Executive Chef David Gilbert

Chef David Gilbert is a yet another Oakland County born Michigan chef who has an impressive work history and has been deemed by Chef Polcyn as a “rising star” in the culinary world.  He has worked at notable restaurants in both the United States and Europe such as the French Laundry (Yountville, California), L’Astrance (Paris, France), Martine Berastegui (San Sebastian, Spain), and Michel Bras (Laguiole, France).  He moved back to Michigan in 2005 to take the position as the Chef at the Rugby Grill in Birmingham. There Chef Gilbert had many local accolades for his culinary excellence.  One of Chef Gilbert’s signatures dishes is his torchon de foie gras.

With Chef Gilbert’s extensive knowledge and experiences in nouvelle French cuisine and traditional French cuisine made him an ideal fit for the Forest Grill.  Working at various three-star Michelin rated restaurants in Europe and highly rated American restaurants has made him an ideal chef to work along side Chef Polcyn. 

Chef Gilbert is a man of exceptionally high personal standards and values genuine collaboration. He has also participated at a guest chef at the “Celebrity Chef Series” at Stratford, Ontario’s Chef’s School.  He continually travels to further expand his culinary knowledge and repertoire. Chef Gilbert is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) and began his pre-CIA culinary career at Five Lakes Grill.  He currently resides in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan.