My name is Marc Richard of Golden

The nod of approval

I am a chef. Cooking is all about the nod. Seeing somebody eat what I’ve cooked, and they do a nod of affirmation that it’s good, that’s when I feel my reward.

I’ve been cooking for close to 30 years. My grandparents own a beach house in Delaware, which is where I spent my childhood summers. When I turned 12, I was staying with them and started working. One of my first jobs was cooking.

The beginning

I met Bob and Jen Toohill, the owners of Bob’s Atomic Burgers, about 12 years ago. Bob always had a passion and dream to open a burger place and, because of my experience, he would often call me for advice on what’s involved with opening a restaurant.

One day, he called and all he needed to say was, “It’s happening.” So, I’ve been here with them since the beginning.

We had our three-year anniversary on July 20. What I like about Bob’s is how successful it’s become with the tourists, but more so with the locals.

Golden’s captain

I moved to Golden 15 years ago. I was living in a small coal-mining town in western Maryland. Their main street is U.S. 40, Colfax. But they don’t call it Colfax –; it’s just a fun fact.

A friend of mine out there was from Golden. He knew how much I love the mountains and living in a small town, and he kept at me to move here. So, I packed a bag and came out. I consider Golden my permanent home now. I want to be buried here.

I’ve been very fortunate to get to know a lot of people here. In Golden, I’m known as the Captain, rather than my real name. I used to sail a lot on the Chesapeake Bay. I would tell people my stories, then the name Captain stuck with them.

Cultural crabs

I miss sailing a lot, and I miss crabs and east coast-style food.

Crabs are a Maryland thing. It’s cultural. Everybody sits at a table with a make-shift tablecloth of newspapers and goes at it with the crabs. They’re steamed and made with lots of Old Bay–;a seasoning blend that all crabs are prepared with.

The crabs have to be alive when you cook them, so I’ve been fortunate enough to share that experience twice with friends here in Golden. The first time, I brought some crabs back with me after a trip–;that was before 9-11. The second time, I had them overnighted.

We laid out the newspapers on a picnic table at Lions Park. Everybody liked how hands-on it was, and I had a lot of fun watching everyone get to experience something new.

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