Dan's Taste 2021 Chefs Countdown: Thomas Bogia, Manna at Lobster Inn

First word (or words) that comes to mind when you hear “Taste of Summer?”

Hamptons.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

My family.

You can invite three people, living or dead, to your dinner party. Who are they, and what would that meal be?

Mario Lemieux, owner of The Penguins; Mark Hoppus, lead singer of Blink-182; and actor Seth Rogen. The meal would be BBQ pulled pork with bread and chili.

What’s your favorite dish to prepare, and do you enjoy eating it as much as preparing it?

I enjoy making tacos with fresh tortillas, and I do enjoy eating them as much as preparing them.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Don’t be sorry, be careful.

Share your funniest, most unforgettable or oddest kitchen incident.

A busser dropped a stack of plates that fell on my head.

Who do you most admire in the food/wine world and why?

Jesse Matsuoka—for someone as successful as Jesse, he is an incredibly understanding person and wants to continue to teach his staff all his knowledge of food and beverage.

What is going to be the “next big thing” on the East End food scene?

Manna at Lobster Inn.

What are your hobbies, passions and interests outside the world of food, wine and work?

I like to go bowling and play mini golf.

What’s your comfort food and why?

Charcoal pit milkshakes—when I was a kid I’d go to a small, local restaurant with my dad and have their chocolate milkshake.

If you were not in the food or wine business, what would you be doing?

Police officer.

What is the most memorable thing you’ve ever tasted?

Fresh sushi right outside of the Tsukiji Fish Market.

What recent travels have you taken that have inspired you?

Jesse Matsuoka took me to Japan in 2018 to help inspire me for Sen.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Becoming executive chef and having people enjoy my food.

What’s a unique kitchen ritual you practice?

I like to listen to music with the staff as we prep and cook to lighten the mood and keep a nice relaxed work environment.

What has surprised you the most about working in the East End culinary scene?

I was surprised how every restaurant is so busy all day, every day for the whole summer, and then it turns to a ghost town after Labor Day.

What is your go-to karaoke song?

“Hey Ya!” by OutKast.

It’s your last weekend on earth—what’s the menu?

Philly Pretzel Factory pretzel nuggets with their spicy nacho dipping sauce, Philly cheese steaks from Pats in Philadelphia and a DQ cookie dough Blizzard.

For tickets and more information on all Dan’s Taste 2021 events, visit DansTaste.com. Manna at Lobster Inn is located at 5 Inlet Road, Southampton. To learn more, visit mannarestaurant.com.