Executive Chef David Grillo directs all kitchen operations at Cantina 76 and Za’s Brick Oven Pizza, headquartered in Columbia, S.C. Grillo worked as a corporate trainer with Applebee’s in Austin, Texas, and in Columbia, S.C., opening the kitchens at the Harbison, Lexington, O’Neill Court, Florence and Sumter, S.C. locations. He served for five years as kitchen manager at Original Pancake House in Columbia, S.C. from 1997 to 2001, then served for five years as kitchen manager at T.G.I. Friday’s at Richland Mall from 2001 to 2006, leading them from $30,000 to $80,000 in weekly sales. Grillo was Executive Chef at Mark’s Steaks, Seafood and Spirits in Chapin, S.C. from 2007 to 2009. In 2009, he was brought on to launch the kitchen at Cantina 76 on Devine. He became credentialed as a Certified Executive Chef through the American Culinary Federation in 2011