CHEFS
Rick Mahan, chef-owner of The Waterboy Restaurant and OneSpeed Pizza
Rick is passionate about the dining experience. Food should be delicious and fresh, but a meal is about the moment and who it is shared with. From the purveyors that bring in ingredients, to the servers setting food on the table, it’s about relationships built with quality people.
Rick’s culinary journey began at 16 years old, washing dishes and later cooking at a family restaurant. It was there that he first became enamored with life in the kitchen. In 1980, he did his formal training as a chef’s apprentice at the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. Upon completion, he returned to Sacramento, where he worked in several noteworthy establishments, among them Café Natoma and Joan Leineke Café. In 1988 he became chef-partner in Paragary’s in Sacramento and later opened a location in Folsom.
After vacationing in France, Rick decided to sell his interest in Paragary’s and focus his efforts in a new direction. The Waterboy opened on November 1, 1996 and has evolved into one of Sacramento’s best restaurants. With a thriving restaurant up and running, it was time for another adventure. In 2009, he took his passion for pizza and opened OneSpeed in East Sacramento.
At home, Rick enjoys bike rides, family time, camping, and music. He is involved with various charities and enjoys giving back to the community.