James Syhabout at Commis

Congratulations to James Syhabout on the debut of his new restaurant Commis in Oakland, California. Syhabout, Manresa's former chef de cuisine, first left Manresa to work in Europe at The Fat Duck, El Bulli, Mugaritz, and Alkimia, and then returned to Manresa after being named one of the San Francisco Chronicle Rising Star Chefs of 2007, and earning three-and-a-half stars from the San Francisco Chronicle as executive chef of PlumpJack Cafe in San Francisco. With one of the most promising restaurant openings of the year, Syhabout has transformed a neighborhood dining spot on Piedmont Avenue into a sleek and intimate restaurant with an eye towards sustainable products and ingredients. "It is an emotional moment when one of the Manresa family decides to strike out on their own to pursue their own vision and dreams; it personally gives me the greatest satisfaction as a chef," said David Kinch. "A great and important part of Manresa's success has been because of the hard work, dedication and talent of James, and I could not be more proud of him. He is a remarkable young man who I know will succeed at whatever he wishes to accomplish, and we wish him the very best. He deserves it."
Photo courtesy Chez Pim