Russell said the "No Reservations" movie ads show some physical touching, something he wouldn't allow in his workplace. "Other people start thinking there's some favoritism and it creates negativity in the kitchen."

SHEILA & JOHN PRESCOTT

Sheila and John Prescott met while both were working as chefs during the 2002 Winter Games at a temporary restaurant in the Salt Palace for the news media and Italian national team. Sheila was hired as the executive chef and John as the sous chef.

"So she became my boss," said John. "It was totally fate."

After the Olympics, John moved to Oregon to attend culinary school, and Sheila moved with him. They now have a 4-year old, Isabella, and a Salt Lake catering company, Caio Isabella Catering and Culinary Consultants, LLC. John runs the catering company while Sheila works in the food services at the Huntsman Cancer Institute and helps with the catering company, which specializes in lunches and dinner parties.

"We work great together," John said. "There's the old adage that two chefs in one kitchen is no good, but she's very good at desserts and sweeter things, and I focus on entrees and main dishes."

He said it was hard for some of the other employees to accept that the two chefs had a romance going on. "But we maintained a professional relationship and left the personal issues at home. And the employees just got used to it. In the restaurant industry it's very straightforward. Everyone has to hold up their end, and if you don't, you're let go."

The couple enjoys reading culinary books and watching the Food Network together.

"We both have a huge passion for cooking, and when you can share that on an intimate level with someone else, it's that much more fun to be in the kitchen together," John said. "You know that someone will really enjoy what you make."

JUSTIN & NINA CHRISTENSEN

Justin and Nina Christensen met while waiting tables at The Mandarin in Bountiful. They now are co-owners (with Justin's brother, Jared Christensen) of Plates & Palates, a Bountiful cookware store that also offers catering, lunch and, more recently, Friday and Saturday night dinners.

"One of the things that really got us interested in each other was our love of food," Nina recalled. "But I knew him for a good six years before we started dating. I went through a divorce, and then a few co-workers invited me to go out with them after work, and Justin was in the group."

After they married four years ago, "We kind of toyed around with what kind of business we could open — obviously it would be something to do with food," said Nina. "We were just going to do a kitchenware store, and then Jared and Justin talked me into serving food, too."