Paul Posti was a war hero During WWII, he was the only person in history to shoot down a German FockeWolfe fighter plane with his father8217s Smith and Wesson, 38 cal Service Revolver He later became a executive chef, and a close friend to celebrities including, Clark Gable, Elvis Presley, Pavarotti, Frank Sinatra and the world renown Rat Pack Frank Sinatra was introduced to Paul8217s cooking when Paul would give him free meals to help him out Posti8217s thoughtfulness and help was appreciated by Frank Sinatra, so what began as a kind gesture turned into a lifelong friendship Posti became Sinatra8217s personal chef for over 24 years Along with his employer and owner of The Brown Derby, Bob Cobb, Paul created the now famous Cobb Salad, which he literally concocted on the spot to please a demanding Cecil B DeMille He even had occasion to kick a hungry young kid named Elvis Presley out of his kitchen at the Knickerbocker Hotel Later, Posti and The King became good friends His dearest friend was probably the legendary Mel Blanc, the man who brought Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd and a host of other voices to life Most of the stars every American knew from the 40s 50s 60s and 70s knew Paul Posti From the Brown Derby to the Villa Capri, he was the chef to Hollywoods royalty Posti made his mark as a chef during a time when fine dining was highly esteemed For him, cooking was not just a job, but rather an art form, He would sometimes say with a smirk, 8220Cooking is the soul of partying, at all times and all ages 8221