Lust List 2014: Duane

Job: Executive Chef, Octopus Bar

Age: 28

Relationship Status: Has an “Ol’ Lady”

Though he looks like a guy who could steal your girlfriend at a moment’s notice, Duane wouldn’t dream of it. “Nah. Never. That’s hands-off, ” he says. For Duane, the nighttime is the right time ... to cook. The California native who has spent the last five years paying dues in some of Atlanta’s most prominent kitchens (most recently Empire State South) now lends his talents to concocting culinary wonders at East Atlanta late-night haunt Octopus Bar. Folks come for the food, but stick around to catch a glimpse of the ponytailed Johnny Depp doppelganger. — Gavin Godfrey

What’s the first album you bought with your own money?

Oasis’ What’s the Story Morning Glory.

Describe your relationship to exercise?

I like to throw on some of my tennis/running shoes, take a quick photo, Instagram it with the caption, “Off to the gym,” hashtag #fitforlife, and then I take them off and go chill.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

Man, I don’t feel bad about doing shit. I like all my guilty pleasures ... strippers.

What’s your standard drink?

A Cocchi Americano on the rocks with an orange twist.

What band were you obsessed with when you were 14?

Neil Young.

What’s your least favorite household chore?

Cleaning the bathroom.

What’s the last thing that made you cry?

Last week’s Team Hidi event.

What would you order for your last meal?

Sausage and peppers with a loaf of crunchy bread.

What’s your sexy-time soundtrack?

As of late it’s been that Yeezus.

What do you wish someone would hurry up and invent?

A duplicating machine.

To duplicate anything or people?

Shoes.

What is the lamest pickup line anyone has used on you?

I don’t think I’ve ever had a pickup line pulled on me.

What movie would you most like to live in?

The Godfather II.

What’s the best way for a customer to hit on you?

By complimenting my food.

What’s your pettiest relationship deal breaker?

My pettiest? Ketchup. I hate ketchup!

What’s the last good book you read?

Haruki Murakami’s The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.

Who would play you in the movie about your life?

Jack Sparrow.

What’s the one thing you most hope to accomplish this year?

Getting out of the country again.

What’s your least favorite thing about Atlanta?

I’d say the late-night scene.

Is there a drawback to being attractive?

Getting nominated for these and not having an answer to that question.

Name one thing you’ve stolen.

Bubble gum.

Who is the most important person in your life?

My mother.

Have you ever been dumped? If so, what was the reason?

I’ve never been dumped.

How much would you charge to murder a stranger?

It’d be up there. It’d be pretty high.

How do you handle rejection?

By finding somebody that will accept me.

With whom would you like to play Truth or Dare?

Madonna.

What did your parents want you to do with your life?

Doctor.

Have you ever stalked someone on Instagram?

Constantly

How often do you talk to your mother?

Every other day.

What’s your preferred footwear?

Vans.

What’s the most romantic place in Atlanta?

My kitchen.

What’s wackiest piece of personal trivia?

Panda bears are my spirit animal.

What’s your weirdest recurring dream?

I don’t really have any. I really don’t.

What personal attribute are you a sucker for?

Good taste.

Just in general?

Hmmm ... high-class tastes.

Where would you go on a bucket list vacation?

Chile.

Not counting rent or bills, where does most of your disposable income go?

Shoes.

What’s you life’s ambition/grandest dream?

Life’s ambition is to be happy. To be happy and to do everything exactly the way I want to do it.

If you had to spend a million dollars in one afternoon, what would you do?

Buy everyone a drink.

Have you ever stolen friend’s girlfriend?

Nah. Never. That’s hands-off.

What’s your own character flaw you’d most like to fix?

Procrastination.

Why do you think you were nominated for the Lust List?

My hair.