The formation of Super Chef was the fulfillment of a childhood dream of Phillip M. Pappas. Born in Lakewood, Ohio to parents Evan N. and Fay Shaffer Pappas on March 16, 1917, Phillip Pappas was exposed to the restaurant industry at an early age while working in his father's restaurant supply company located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. This work experience spawned a keen interest in the food service industry which ultimately led to forming his own business as a manufacturer's representative. As a manufacturer's representative for various food service companies, Phillip Pappas displayed a penchant for designing food service equipment which would lead to the design of what is believed to be the first commercial conveyor dishwasher and commercial coffee equipment. His dream of forming his own manufacturing company would be delayed with the advent of World War II and its effect on the availability of manufacturing components and materials. Phillip Pappas and his wife, Gwendolyn Bennett Pappas, would soon move to Houston, Texas where he would continue his work as a manufacturer's representative. In addition to working as a manufacturer's representative, Phillip Pappas worked several part-time jobs to raise funds needed for research and development of his first gas-fired floor model fryer. The first prototype was constructed and tested in the duplex unit where he and his family lived. Using this invention as a back-drop, Phillip Pappas conceived of creating a manufacturing facility and soon convinced a local bank to fund the concept principally using the collateral of his good name. In 1946, Phillip Pappas' dream was fulfilled in the formation of Super Chef Manufacturing Company located in Houston, Texas. During a career that spanned nearly six decades, Phillip Pappas designed and manufactured commercial cooking equipment that was sold and distributed throughout the United States and in foreign countries. Under his leadership, Super Chef developed a full line of commercial cooking equipment which included deep fat fryers, broilers, griddles, warmers, hot-plates and other specially fabricated products for private industry and government. Some of his many accomplishments as an inventor in the food service industry include the design of the patented gas-fired "Fat Mizer", the patented lift-out/plug-in thermostat and the first commercially designed "Electric-Gas" deep fat fryer which incorporated the use of both gas and electricity in the cooking area. Over the course of his career, Phillip Pappas became recognized as one of the premier design engineers in the food service industry. As a prolific inventor, he received and held over 75 patents primarily in the food service industry which included U.S., British, Australian, German, Italian and Japanese patents. Phillip Pappas passed away on February 9, 2003. The principals upon which this Company was founded, i.e., design innovation and value remain as the hallmark of our Company. While mourning his loss, we shall never lose sight of the legacy that he has left.