The Firestone’s Force
Our Staff – exceptional everyday
Each working day begins at dawn, behind the main tavern doors with the efforts of a passionate and loyal team. The Firestone’s staff is skilled, abundant with ingenuity, and focused on creating an impressive experience for every guest with every visit. We cultivate an environment of hard work, opportunity and results and our retention of great people over many years nurtures the neighborhood tavern feeling.
Kimball Firestone, Owner
Jack Walker, Executive Chef
Chris Tereyla, General Manager
Kathy Wasley, Business Manager
Kim has worn several hats throughout a long career, all hard work, managing people and bringing a team together for a common vision. Kim got a taste of the food service business when he bought a frozen yogurt and sandwich shop in 1993. Then in 1999, he bought what is now known as Firestone’s Culinary Tavern. He loves the energy of downtown Frederick and the satisfaction of owning a successful small business.
Kim takes tremendous pride in the Tavern and the Market that bear his name. He has assembled a staff that shares his work ethic, passion and belief in providing every customer with an exceptional experience, whether they visit for a full-course meal, a sandwich or appetizer or just a relaxing drink with friends. At the end of the day, Kim feels satisfaction knowing that a visit for Firestone’s made many people happy.
A Favorite at Firestone’s:
Grilled Cheese Sandwich, made with hickory-smoked Airco cheese, applewood-smoked bacon, a delicious slice of tomato and grilled on our own country sourdough bread. Best grilled cheese ever!
My Other Passion:
“Living on a small farm, one of my favorite things to do is grow tomatoes and basil in the summer. I love the outdoors and working with my hands. It is both productive and therapeutic.”
Kathy Wasley, Business Manager
Kathy has an eye for quality and is there to help ensure that the business is performing at its prime. She oversees the details of the business side of Firestone’s, plans and executes the marketing efforts and ensures continued community involvement. The management team meets daily before the doors open. Of course, during the day mini-meetings pop up to examine service, customer experience and general planning.
At Firestone’s, the face and strength of our business is our staff. We have invested in a professional and experienced team and encourage them to think and work creatively with a minimum of administrative interference. This philosophy has proven successful in our evolution as a culinary tavern. We maintain a steadfast customer base and are proud to have long-term employee retention.
A Favorite at Firestone’s: The Seasonal Fruit Cobbler is absolutely amazing and always changing with the freshest fruit of the season … my personal favorite is peach, but I look forward to them all! The cobbler is baked with a touch of bourbon in the recipe and topped with a medley of buttermilk biscuit and our own granola … then balanced off with our housemade whiskey ice cream, pure comfort!
My Other Passion: Family first. Animals run a close second! I work with two of my four children each day at Firestones…another teaches high school math in California and one works within the food service industry in Maine.
I’m surrounded by dogs and other living creatures, the most interesting of which is a rouge family of peacocks who appeared in the tree line in front of our house. Peacocks flying free in Maryland, who would have thought it possible? They’ve been with us for five years; I appreciate their beauty every day…I just hope their family doesn’t expand!
Chef Jack Walker has been one of the key ingredients to the successful Firestone’s formula. He joined the team in 1999, bringing not only a depth of experience and excellent culinary skills but an energy, passion and creative edge that launched the restaurant to a new standard. Jack graduated from the Baltimore International Culinary College, and studied at the Park Hotel in Country Cavan, Ireland. He sharpened his skills and diversified his kitchen experience in a variety of award-winning restaurants in the Baltimore and mid-Maryland region, most notably the Owl Bar at the Belvedere Hotel, Baldwin Station, and a well-known former favorite in Frederick, Tauraso’s Ristorante & Trattoria.
Jack thrives on the heat in the kitchen, the quick pace and the pressure of “game time” as he competitively refers to the dinner hour every night. The role of Executive Chef is so much more than creatively preparing a meal. Jack is a mentor to many young chefs and restaurateurs and takes pride in the teaching that takes place in the kitchen. He has cultivated solid business partnerships with suppliers making them a part of the Firestones team. Jack takes time everyday to meet with the entire Firestone’s team – both in the kitchen and the front of the house – to be sure every player is working from the same “playbook “. Communication and connection is key in all facets of the restaurant in order for each day to run smoothly and each customer to fully enjoy their experience. Jack enjoys a wonderful relationship with the owners who trust his vision and set no boundaries. This freedom allows Firestone’s to offer the best products and to continue to bring fresh ideas directly from the chef to the menu daily.
A Favorite at Firestone’s: As the architect of many dishes on the menu, I’ve had the joy of making sure each one is “a favorite” so to choose just one is tough. However, I have always loved to delicately layer flavors around fresh seafood, especially the grilled wild rockfish. It’s prepared with salt pork-almond hash, frisse, fresh figs and a fig reduction. The ingredients are simple, yet combined become spectacular!
My Other Passion: I love to get away from the daily grind and the confined space of a kitchen to the great outdoors. Motorcycle riding and fishing are two favorite ways to refresh the soul.”
Chris Tereyla, General Manager
Chris maintains a steadfast commitment to a philosophy that has become the driving force in the service environment he manages at The Tavern… every customer deserves a memorable experience every time they visit Firestone’s. Chris has unlimited energy, necessary in the buzzing tavern business. He
always shares a smile and consistently makes customers feel welcome and comfortable. Chris is a native to Frederick and has been a part of the Firestone’s team for over a decade. He has worked every position, giving experience and credibility to overseeing all the elements of a
restaurant. His standards are high and he expects that of everyone around him. Chris has been instrumental in the creation of the Tavern’s award-winning
wine list, diverse whiskey menu, expansive bottled beer selection and the innovative seasonal cocktail offerings. He works closely with the chef in
ensuring the beverage menu not only stands alone but complements all that is prepared in the kitchen. Chris manages the Firestone’s service staff and bar staff, ensuring they are all well-trained, knowledgeable about the daily menu offerings, experienced in pairings and eager to offer guidance to customers in making their selections. He creates a seamless flow from opening to close.
A Favorite at Firestone’s:
The Cowboy Steak is absolutely outstanding. The quality and cut of the steak is superb and combined with the gorgonzola butter and our shoestring potatoes make for an awesome meal. It’s my go-to dinner and it’s incredible.
