Captain Tim & First Mate Chris
by Sue Bowron
photography by Heather Smith
3651 Peachtree Parkway Suite 425 - Suwanee, GA 30024
With a deft adjustment of his captain's hat, the penetrating gaze of a pirate's eyes surveyed his crew on deck. Turning to his first mate, the first command of the day was issued, "Stand fast by the fire and don't spare the sauce!" Well, perhaps the pirate is really a chef in costume and his motley crew of vagabonds is putting together another world-class tailgate party at the restaurant.
Tim and Christina Young's claim to fame is cooking with a sports flare. Growing up near Tampa, Florida, Tim was chosen by the NFL as the "Ultimate Fan" of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Each game found Tim and Chris out in the parking lot firing up the grill for the ultimate in tailgate dining. Their fame spread throughout the close-knit Bucs' fans and, before long, cooking became serious competition for The Captain, his First Mate, and two to three hundred of their closest pirating friends who would show up for great food and fun every week. The only game they missed for years was due to Tim nearly killing himself falling off their roof while spelling "Go Bucs" in Christmas lights.
Tim started his career as a deck hand shucking oysters at the age of 13 at a local seafood restaurant. He worked in the restaurant business throughout his teens and then moved to the Cayman Islands working in food and beverage for Hyatt Regency. He and his roommate, who was head chef at the world famous Chef Tells, would cook off against each other every Sunday with friends.
Moving back to Florida, Tim met his First Mate Christina who has been supporting his pirate ways for the past 17 years. Tim modestly discredits his good looks and charm as Chris' attraction to him. Instead, he says while brandishing his barbecue tongs, "It was my cooking that captured her heart." Sly and crafty as all pirates are, Tim first noticed Chris and her mother enjoying a sunny afternoon by the community pool, and his pirate instincts took over. Striking up a conversation with Chris' mother, Tim invited the two of them to dinner that evening. Spending his last $50 on steak and lobster, it was love at first bite and Tim and Chris have been The Captain and First Mate ever since.
While in Florida, Tim and Chris' passion for the Bucs was at fever pitch and so was cooking and entertaining. Traveling around to different food festivals, they walked away with many championships: The Caribbean Chili Cook-off, The Florida Chili Championship, two Jack Daniels' Tailgate Championships, The Food Network National Tailgate Championship in New Orleans, and the 2005 Chunky Chili Tailgater of the Year.
Tim's persona as "The Captain" became fully entrenched as his tailgate parties became increasingly popular. The couple has won a whopping 29 tailgate-cooking and culinary contests. With tents, grills, smokers, pig-cookers, loaded coolers, gas powered blenders, generators, flags, a band called "Loose Cannons," and a custom painted trailer, Tim and crew have taken over parking lots around the country. These elaborate tailgate parties became part of the Buccaneers' pre-game festivities and they were able to raise thousands of dollars for children's charities.
In 2002, Tim's wildest dream came true when he was chosen as Tampa Bay's Ultimate Fan. He and Christina were flown out to San Diego, made the media tour with the players and coaches and had the pleasure of watching their beloved Buccaneers win Superbowl XXXVII, while sitting just rows behind their bench. On August 3, 2003, Tim was then inducted in the Pro Football's Hall of Fame in Canton Ohio as a Hall of Fame Fan. Only 130 fans have been inducted into the history of the Hall of Fame.
Each year, Tim's passion takes him to the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony, in Canton, Ohio, to cook for less fortunate kids who come for autographs and some special moments with their favorite players and fans. The first year that Tim started cooking for the kids, around 200 attended and, only three years later, the event attracted nearly 3,000. "We cook for them all, and sign autographs for each and every one," says Tim. He even has a float in the Hall Of Fame Parade.
Tim and Chris walked the corporate plank for years working in marketing, merchandising, and sales. Tim owned his own company and Chris worked with Kodak. They always talked about taking their passion for food and wine to another level and set sail last August toward their dream of building their own business where they could share their love of food and entertaining beyond tailgate parties.
The Village Market Steakhouse, Wine Bar and Butcher Shop in Johns Creek is Tim and Chris' work of love. They wanted to create the best steak and seafood house in town, with a great casual atmosphere and awesome wine selection.
To ensure that customers get to know them personally, they are constantly hosting wine events, grilling schools and featuring pairings of the foods and wines they love. "I can cook anything on a grill and love teaching people the secrets to perfect outdoor food," says Tim. "I like to discover 'undiscovered' fine boutique wines that 'Wow' our customers' palates," says Chris from behind their stunning wine bar. Both Tim and Chris hope to develop a series of barbecue, grilling and tailgate classes, and perhaps host a TV show or two.
As Tim looks around The Village Market, he speaks quietly, yet firmly, "There would be no Captain without Chris. She has always been there for me, even when the Captain's ship has taken on water. Chris deserves all the credit. She takes care of the house, bartends, provides technical support on the computers, does a lot of the cooking and always takes the back seat. Chris is an accomplished cook and a focused entrepreneur as well."
Tim and Chris share their home in Milton with their two beagles, Captain Morgan and Buddy. You can find them golfing in their scarce leisure time, but more often; they team up in the kitchen. "Our indoor and outdoor kitchens are our little playgrounds," says Tim as he straightens his pirate hat and smiles at his First Mate.
