GRIFTON — James Lupo always wanted to be a famous musician so he packed his bags and moved to New York to take on a dream he soon realized that he shared with millions of other people. Lupo then began working at a restaurant as a simple dishwasher and slowly began to find what his future would hold.

Now, Lupo has come back to North Carolina and works as a chef at Newby’s Restaurant in Grifton and is on  his way to chef stardom as he recently became champion of the 2004 Crew Chef Challenge.

"Being a chef wasn’t any idea at the time," Lupo said. "I wanted to be a Rock ‘N’ Roll Musician."

As a single parent, Lupo said it hasn’t been easy getting to where he is today and although the idea to cook for Nascar drivers did just pop in his head one day, he’s had to work hard to get where he is.

"It wasn’t an easy door, it didn’t just happen," Lupo said. "I had to work. It took a while to get there."

That idea, Lupo said, came to him one day while just flipping through some channels on television. A Nascar race was on and Lupo decided to tune in. The talk at the time was food and Lupo decided he could create dishes and name them after drivers. And Lupo was off. His first dish was named after Rusty Wallace. Other dishes Lupo has done have been named after Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon.

The dish Lupo has become famous for is his marinated ribeye with mixed pepper and salsa, a dish that won Lupo the 2004 Crew Chef Challenge at Pocono.

Normally, Lupo says he doesn’t cook such glamorous meals before a race. When Lupo cooks for the drivers and crew, he has to cook for not only drivers, but the crew, sponsors, officials as well as anyone else who shows up to eat so the menu is a buffet style dish where those in line pick what they want and Lupo cooks it. "They eat good," Lupo added.

After his cooking is done, Lupo gets to just hang out and enjoy the race.

"It’s a wonderful experience," Lupo said. "I get to do what most fans dream of. It’s so unique to be there. I’m blessed on both sides."

Lupo said his personal life at home is quite different from on the road, as he doesn’t cook glamorous meals often at home. A simple Newby’s burger will suffice for Lupo who says he enjoys eating fast food. "I love my McDonalds and Hardees just as much as anyone else."

Lupo said he doesn’t know what the future holds for him but hopes to stick around Grifton and continue working with Newby’s. He also hopes to move from the Busch series to the Nextel, which Lupo said will be a different ballgame for him.

"I can already say I’ve gone and done it," Lupo said. "I’ve got a good thing going on. Grifton’s a wonderful little town. Keith Newby is a very extraordinary person. He puts up with me."

Copyright 2003 - Town of Grifton - All Rights Reserved