Chef Aaron Flores and Chef Marcus Samuelson

After stints with Walt Disney, various hotels and Finn & Porter, Chef Aaron Flores is whipping up the modern American fare at the newly-renovated Howard Theatre. Today, we turn the tables and grill the chef.

What’s in your fridge or freezer that would surprise people?
Dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets. My son Darius is six and he absolutely loves them!

Last meal you cooked for yourself?
Barbecue pork ribs that fell off the bone on Memorial Day.

Last meal on earth?
Macaroni and cheese. Its simple and reminds me of family, that and dinosaur nuggets.

Which six people — alive or dead — would you choose to attend your ultimate dinner party And, what would you serve?
Elvis Presley, James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Frank Sinatra. I like the classics.

Peanut butter bacon banana sandwiches. I’m serving Elvis!

What non-food-related things do you do for fun?
A quiet afternoon at a Smithsonian after a raucous night at The Howard is wonderful.  As for which Smithsonian, take your pick, I like them all. My son is partial to Natural History.

If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would you go?
Napa Valley.

What’s on your DVR?
The Game, The Big C, Nurse Jackie.