I’m John, a Chef living in Oakland, California, with my kiddo Hugh and lovely wife Keri.
I’ve spent a lifetime working in restaurants around the country, but prefer the intimacy of cooking for families and small parties. I was born in Germany, raised in the midwest, went to high school in Arizona, and college in Colorado. I am a part of a large family with roots in Mexico and the Southwest.
The moment I moved to the Bay area and saw the bounty of produce from small farms, the quality of beef and lamb from local ranchers, and the beauty of the boundless products from fishermen in the Pacific Ocean, I knew that I was home. The food I cook is meant to reflect this uniquely beautiful place in Northern California. My cooking is seasonal, comforting, a little sophisticated, and always nourishing to body and soul. I look forward to cooking for you and sharing my heartfelt hospitality.
Some stops along the way from my culinary journey:
New England Culinary Institute (Montpelier Vermont)
Lola, Dahlia Lounge, Campagne (Seattle)
Canela, (Chef/Owner, in the borderlands of wine country, Az)
Roberta’s/Blanca (Bushwick, NYC)
Pizzeria Bianco/Tratto/Pane Bianco (Head Chef, Phoenix Az)
Bar Jules, Petit Crenn, Jane Bread (bread baking and viennoiserie) (San Francisco)
Farmhand Kitchen Catering (Co-owner, Sonoma)