Chef Mario Roca recently joined the Dee Lincoln Prime team, an upscale steakhouse in Frisco, Texas. Chef Mario has vast culinary experience, spending time in the Hamptons, New York; Miami, Florida; Washington, D.C.; and Houston, Texas. Since joining the industry in 2004, he has served in a variety of roles, including chef de partie, chef de cuisine, operations manager, executive sous chef and executive chef.
As executive chef, Chef Mario will oversee Dee Lincoln Prime’s fine selection of prime steaks, Japanese wagyu and Kobe beef, as well as fresh seafood and sushi. He plans to build upon the rock-solid reputation Dee Lincoln Prime has for providing exemplary dishes and an unmatched guest experience, while also introducing new and unique offerings.
“Food has taken me around the world, opened my senses and taught me more than I could imagine,” said Chef Mario Roca. “Continuously evolving as an agent of the culinary arts is what I’m meant to do. I look forward to continuing my journey with Dee Lincoln Prime, offering dining experiences in an ethereal atmosphere with innovative dishes. I couldn’t be more proud and excited about being at the helm of this kitchen filled with such a talented crew.”
Before joining Dee Lincoln Prime, Chef Mario worked as executive chef for Wolfgang Puck Catering for nine years. During this time, he worked at multiple venues throughout the country supporting large-scale catering events, including star-studded weddings, the Oscars, galas and other exclusive functions. In fact, Chef Mario was selected to travel to Mumbai, India, to execute the wedding of the daughter of Mukesh Ambani, who was the 48th richest man in the world at the time. In addition, Wolfgang Puck offered Chef Mario the opportunity to open his flagship location, III by Wolfgang Puck, in Houston, Texas, in 2019.
“Chef Mario is a charismatic leader and an exceptional chef – just the right ingredients needed to build upon the foundation we’ve laid here at Dee Lincoln Prime,” said Dee Lincoln, owner of Dee Lincoln Prime. “I look forward to watching Chef Mario introduce new dishes and continue to provide patrons the second-to-none dining experience they’ve come to expect from us.”
Owner Dee Lincoln is a strong-willed businesswoman who blazed a trail in the male-dominated steakhouse business, earning the nickname – Queen of Steaks. With charisma and grit, Dee went from a small-town Louisiana girl to a major player in the steakhouse scene when she co-founded Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse. In 2017, Dee founded her namesake, Dee Lincoln Prime. Her restaurateur experience paired with her love of food, wine and hospitality, birthed an upscale steakhouse where the core is prime steaks.
The restaurant also boasts a six-seat Omakase sushi bar and an exclusive chef’s table for those interested in private dining. In 2020, Dee Lincoln Prime expanded its footprint with Havana Dee’s Lounge, which can only be accessed through a private entrance within the restaurant. The lounge offers tapas, fine wine and spirits Monday-Saturday.
