Pasta la vista, baby: St. George chef spicing things up with Italian food and signature marinades

Written by Jessi Bang
May 25, 2024

ST. GEORGE — In a cozy kitchen, a man stirs a fragrant concoction of butter, garlic, cream and parmesan cheese, transforming them into a rich, velvety Alfredo sauce. The air fills with the aroma of marinated chicken fresh off the grill.

Alex Graham grills up chicken with his special marinade, which will soon be chopped up into homemade alfredo, St. George, Utah, April 16, 2024| Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Alex Graham grills up chicken with his special marinade, which will soon be added into homemade alfredo sauce, St. George, Utah, April 16, 2024| Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

The man behind the ladle? Alex Graham, also referred to as “The Marinade Master.” As he whipped up his signature homemade chicken Alfredo, he shared with St. George News his passion for the art of creation.

“Some of my favorite things about cooking is the creative aspect,” he said. “I love that there’s no one way to do it. I like that it’s an art. And I think of myself as an artist.”

Graham has taken Italian cuisine on a wild, joyride through flavor town. He’s the mastermind behind dishes that he hopes will make your taste buds do the tango, like his famous “Spaghetti Bread”. Imagine garlic bread and spaghetti had a delicious lovechild, creating the ultimate carb-loaded, flavor-packed, half-sandwich sensation.

Another favorite? Lasagna rolls that are as straightforward and unique as they sound. But that’s not all — brace yourself for a flavor fiesta with his wontons and lumpia — those thin egg rolls originating from the Philippines and Hawaii, packed with savory meat and just the right touch of veggies. And here’s the secret sauce: Graham’s meaty marvels are marinated with his own special blends, soaking it all up for hours or even overnight.

Alex Graham cooks chicken alfredo with home made sauce and a special chicken marinade inside his home in St. George, Utah, April 16, 2024| Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Alex Graham cooks chicken Alfredo with homemade sauce and a special chicken marinade inside his home in St. George, Utah, April 16, 2024| Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

His marinades include a medley of flavors, featuring hints of liquid smoke, zesty citrus, pure coconut oil and occasional surprises like truffle essence and a splash of 7UP. When it comes to cooking his chicken, Graham takes it to the grill for that specific char and smoky aroma.

“My sauces and marinades come from a lot of experimenting,” he said. “I like Italian food because I can mesh those flavors very well together.”

Graham’s got some exciting new additions cooking up for the menu, including an appetizer called “loaded shotgun shells.” Picture this; seasoned Italian sausage and hamburger snugly packed inside a hearty noodle, wrapped in crispy bacon and then smoked for multiple hours to tie all the flavors together.

With a background in art, his passion for acrylic painting isn’t just confined to the canvas; it spills over into every aspect of his life, including his cooking. While he’s always had a knack for the culinary arts, it was the thrill of creating something from scratch and the freedom of entrepreneurship that truly captivated him into pursuing it full-time. Dreaming of one day owning his own food truck, Graham is drawn to the culinary world by the prospect of independence and the sheer joy of bringing delicious creations to life.

Alex Graham creates his signature "Spaghetti Bread", St. George, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Alex Graham, St. George News
Alex Graham creates his signature “Spaghetti Bread”, St. George, Utah, date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Alex Graham, St. George News

“This is definitely what I want to do,” Graham said about cooking.

After doing his own research, he discovered the potential to run his own Microenterprise Home Kitchen. With a little help from his mom, who started sharing images of his food creations online, orders began pouring in faster than he could imagine. Since officially securing his business license in January, Graham has been fully committed and dedicated to his culinary venture.

While Graham curates his own menu, he’s always open to special requests, including vegan options, and can tailor custom orders to meet specific preferences. Whether it’s a baby shower, birthday celebration, or any other event, he’s ready to provide food for any occasion.

Originally from San Jose, California, Graham moved to Southern Utah three years ago to support his mom, who was caring for his grandfather. Following his grandfather’s passing, Graham remained by his mom’s side, offering her the support she needed.

In addition to his Italian culinary escapades, Graham also runs a versatile handyman business. From yard renovations to household fixes and even trampoline installations, he hopes to be the go-to guy for all things home improvement.

Graham expressed gratitude for his wife’s support and his mother’s assistance with the business. She takes online orders and helps assist with a smooth order and delivery process. For more information on Marinade Master and to place an order, visit their website.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jessi Bang was born and raised in Utah and has a passion for nature and the great outdoors. She graduated from Kaplan University in California with a degree in criminal justice. She has extensive experience in marketing, content creation, photography and copywriting. You can find her showcasing outdoor adventures through her blog, “The Rambling Raccoon.” In her free time, she enjoys climbing mountains, trail running, working out and cuddling her two lovable pups.

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Twitter: @STGnews

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