Robert Nieto, Pastry Chef Jackson Family Wines A native of Texas, Robert received his cooking and baking certificate from Del Mar Community College. His first job was at the Corpus Christi Country Club as a line cook, but he always had a thing for sweets—so, the Pastry Chef there worked [...]
Jamil Peden, Executive Chef The Restaurant at Applewood A west coast native, Chef Jamil spent his early career cooking in Santa Cruz, Seattle, and the Napa Valley. A sous chef position at The Madrona Manor lured him to beautiful Sonoma County where he gained the upmost respect for not only [...]
Andrew Cain, Chef de Cuisine Santé at The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa Chef Cain joined The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa’s culinary team from Sonoma’s St. Francis Winery, where he held the position of Executive Chef. At the neighboring winery Cain was responsible for ongoing menu development [...]
Tracey Shepos Cenami, Chef/Cheese Specialist Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens After graduating from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, Shepos headed to New York, working under Chef Michael Romano at Union Square Cafe as a tournant for two years. Returning to San Francisco, she served as lead line cook [...]
John Franchetti, chef Rosticceria+Eventi I was born and raised in Santa Rosa and graduated from Cardinal Newman High School in 1985. Growing up in wine country, it was easy to want to become a chef and put the food and wine and beer together. So basically living the dream in [...]
Ari Weiswasser, Chef/Proprietor Glen Ellen Star Ari Weiswasser, a Food & Wine People’s Best New Chef 2015, spent his formidable culinary years in numerous fine-dining establishments in New York City and Philadelphia, mastering the fundamentals of elevated cuisine and service before moving to California and deciding to do things differently. [...]
Duskie Estes & John Stewart Chef & Salumist Zazu Kitchen + Farm / Black pig Meat Co. Duskie Estes was voted City Search’s Seattle Best Chef in 2000. Under her leadership, Palace Kitchen was rated by Gourmet magazine in the top five Seattle restaurants in 2000 and in the nation’s [...]
Armando G. Navarro, Executive Chef El Dorado Kitchen Executive Chef, Armando Navarro, has had a noteworthy resume packed with top restaurants along both coasts. After five plus years as Executive Sous Chef at Auberge du Soleil, Armando went to New York where he trained under some of the best chefs [...]
Dustin Valette, Chef/Owner Valette Dustin Valette began his culinary career at 13 at Catelli’s in Geyserville. Two years later he took an apprenticeship at Chateau Souverain under Martin Courtman. Now, 20 years later, Valette finds himself back in Northern California’s wine country continuing the dream that started 22 years ago. [...]