It was through philosophical treatises on food by authors such as Richard Olney and Elizabeth David that he developed an interest in cooking.
While there, he met other notable chefs and food writers such as Julia Child, Jeremiah Tower, and Simone Beck.
He took a job as a sommelier at a wine shop and as a chef for the Hyatt House Hotel while teaching cooking classes privately.
He was unable to persuade local banks to lend him money to start his own restaurant, so he turned to friends and family for assistance.
[5][4] In 1988, Stitt opened Bottega Restaurant near Highlands Bar and Grill, borrowing Italian cooking traditions as its staple.