04/30 - Cruising with Chef Dave Cruz ... and Friends.

Chef Dave Cruz (bottom right), with his "pop-up" family.
Top, from left, Simone Fung, Sebastian Mendieta, Arron Porter,
Stephen Laborde next to Dave.

From the Thomas Keller family, to "Pop-ups" to "Miles" away, Chef Dave Cruz brings us one chef's joyous journey through time.  With him are his "Pop-up" partners from s & s gastrogrub and The Trappist, a beer specialist.  Each have their own very unique and rewarding paths to entertain us.  Sit back and enjoy the global ride!

Chef Dave Cruz

A veteran of Chef Thomas Keller’s Ad Hoc Restaurant in Yountville, Chef Dave Cruz received his start in the culinary industry like many in the business – in college.  While studying for his Engineering degree, Cruz worked in dining rooms to supplement his living expenses, and later worked in kitchens at some of New York’s best restaurants including March Restaurant, Mas (farmhouse) and Nobu.

Under Cruz’s helm, Ad Hoc received a 3-star rating from the San Francisco Chronicle and was cited in the publication’s annual list of “Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants”. In collaboration with Keller, he co-authored “Ad Hoc at Home”, a cookbook that included the stories and favorite recipes from the restaurant. It won both James Beard and IACP awards and appeared on the New York Times Best-Seller list for 7 weeks.

Cruz is the Chef and Owner of soon-to-open Miles Restaurant. For more information about Dave Cruz, visit www.miles-nv.com.

s+s gastrogrub

s+s gastro grub is an Oakland-based catering company specializing in modern interpretations of classic comfort food, as well as mobile pig roasts, lamb roasts, custom paella, and oyster bars. Helmed by Oakland couple Simone Fung and Sebastien Mendieta, who have been wowing diners at local pop-ups, underground dinners, fundraising events and private parties since 2007. The self-taught kitchen pros did their culinary research on global explorations from her native Hong Kong and his native Nicaragua and share a live/work loft in Jingletown, an Oakland artists’ neighborhood.

The Trappist

Aaron Porter and Chuck Stilphen are long-time friends with a common passion for beer. Together they own and operate the The Trappist and the recently opened Trappist Provisions, specialty beer bars both located in Oakland, California. Opened in 2007, The Trappist has been consistently rated in the top 50 beer bars in world according to RateBeer, a worldwide consumer web site dedicated to craft beer and the craft beer culture.

The vision for The Trappist and Trappist Provisions extends beyond the establishments themselves. Aaron and Chuck have hosted collaborative beer dinners with highly acclaimed chefs including Dominque Crenn and Daniel Patterson. They partner with renowned artists on merchandise design, develop exclusive house-beers with renowned master brewers, and actively participate in some the best beer festivals in the world.

CHEERS!

 

 

Steve Andrews enjoys a beer with Kristine Keefer,
the wonderful lady who brings us these and many more terrific guests!