Rogelio Garcia’s love for California wine country runs deep. 出生在墨西哥，长大在 洛杉矶 和 纳帕, Garcia began his culinary journey at just 15 years old, starting as a dishwasher in Yountville. 从那时起, he’s honed his skills in some of wine country’s most prestigious kitchens, with stints at award-winning restaurants like 塞勒斯，卡利斯托加牧场，和 法国洗衣店. He also oversaw the kitchen at 云杉 in 旧金山, where he would ultimately earn his own Michelin stars.
This April 4–7th, foodies can experience Garcia’s cooking at 卵石滩食品 & 酒, an annual culinary spectacular that draws premier chefs, sommeliers, 和 food industry innovators to 卵石滩度假村 在蒙特利县. 在那里, Garcia will be showcasing his seasonally driven, 纳帕-inspired cuisine alongside 125 chefs from around the world.
Most days, however, the season 15 顶级大厨 alum can be found at one of two Calistoga fine dining establishments he helms, 桁架餐厅+酒吧 和 Auro, which picked up a Michelin star in 2023. Both concepts celebrate 纳帕 Valley’s renowned produce 和 terroir, a theme Garcia explores in his upcoming cookbook, Convivir: Modern Mexican Cooking in California’s Wine Country. 加西亚把 加州的问卷调查, sharing his appreciation for California’s world-class wineries, roadtripping, as well as few of his other Golden State favorites.
你住在哪里?? 我住在纳帕谷. I grew up here, so being able to be part of such an amazing community has been incredible. From the wineries 和 restaurants to the produce, it’s such a great place to be part of.
为什么? Because it allows you to be creative. I enjoy being part of a community that is innovating 和 always pushing the envelope.
Who or what is your greatest California love? My greatest California love would be the weather. You can be in wine country enjoying a glass of wine, on a hike in Marin County, surfing in 圣克鲁斯 或者滑雪 太浩湖. California is so beautiful 和 has a lot to offer.
What is the biggest misperception about Californians? The biggest misconception about Californians is that we are vegans. We are—haha—but we also love great food. 这里的蔬菜很好吃. When they are at the peak of the season it’s very hard not to like them—the figs, 西瓜, 西红柿, 凡是你能想到的.
What is the stereotype that most holds true? I feel that in California a lot 更多的 people are starting to pay attention to what they eat 和 where their food comes from.
What is your favorite Golden State splurge? My Golden State splurge would be eating out. I love exploring new restaurants. It’s part of my research 和 development—any cuisine gets me inspired. I also love to support great chefs who do great food.
Time for a road trip—where are you going? I would love to go to all the 国家公园, I would love to learn 更多的 about their history 和 culture.
If you could decree an official state culinary experience, what would it be? I would say showing kids how to grow 和 eat their food in high school. 这应该是一个要求. I wish when I was in high school there had been a program that showed us that. I would have really enjoyed learning that at a young age.
What is your favorite way to play in California? I love spending time with family. We cook, eat, 和 clean up the dishes together. Being a chef is dem和ing but being able to spend time with family is such an incredible feeling.
Where would you go for the ultimate 购物 spree in California? 我会去旧金山. 旧金山 has so much to offer: great food, 酒吧, 购物, everything you need is in 旧金山.
最佳加州歌曲? Tony Bennet’s “(I Left My Heart) In 旧金山.”
How would your California dream day unfold? My California day dream would be a long morning hike in Marin, brunch in 索诺玛, then wine tasting in 纳帕 Valley. 午餐 claros公司, then dinner in 旧金山.
