Welcome, Kendra

Manresa is pleased to announce that Kendra L. Baker has been named pastry chef beginning August 3. Before joining Manresa, Ms. Baker rose to prominence as the pastry chef at the popular Mission District bistro Bar Tartine in San Francisco. She has been the pastry chef at Bar Tartine since it opened in November 2005.

“We are very fortunate to have someone with Kendra's talent, drive and experience as a part of the Manresa team,” said David Kinch about Ms. Baker. “I am very excited about the future and the possibilities that this new partnership presents for her professionally and for everyone at Manresa. Together we will be contributing to the happiness and satisfaction of our guests at the restaurant.”

Desserts created by Ms. Baker have graced the August 2006 cover of San Francisco magazine and have earned high praise from the San Francisco Chronicle.

“I am thrilled to be a part of the Manresa team,” said Ms. Baker. “I feel that Manresa brings together all of my interests under one roof, and I am certain that working with such talented individuals in such an environment will allow me to further explore my culinary curiosities.”

Prior to Bar Tartine, Ms. Baker was assistant pastry chef at No. 9 Park in Boston, and she has held various stagaire positions in France and Wales. She is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, and University of California, Santa Cruz.

2007 Critics' Choice Awards

Every August San Francisco magazine recruits a team of top food journalists, both national and local, to select the best culinary talents in the Bay Area. This year Manresa is very happy to congratulate chef de cuisine James Syhabout and pastry chef Kendra L. Baker for winning the 2007 Critics' Choice Awards.

James Syhabout has won Rising Star Chef from the 2007 Critics' Choice Awards. Earlier this year, the San Francisco Chronicle named him as one of their Rising Star Chefs while he was the executive chef at PlumpJack Cafe. Starting this month James brings home his considerable talent to Manresa and we are exceedingly proud of his accomplishments.

Kendra L. Baker has been named Best Pastry Chef and we couldn't be happier. Starting in August, Kendra joins Manresa from Bar Tartine in San Francisco. Kendra and her sensational desserts will be a praise-worthy addition to Manresa.

The Tomato Modernista Dinners

Tuesday, September 18 & Wednesday, September 19

David Kinch and Cynthia Sandberg invite you to taste the pure flavors of summer at the Tomato Modernista Dinners. Cynthia Sandberg is nationally known for the hundreds of varieties of heirloom tomatoes she grows, as well as all of the biodynamic vegetables, herbs and flowers she produces in exclusive partnership with David Kinch at Love Apple Farm. At the peak of this year's tomato season, she will pick the best tasting heirloom tomatoes grown in the sunshine of her idyllic farm just as the tomatoes are bursting with vital life essence and fully ripe flavor. Without delay, they are delivered to Manresa in the early afternoon to be deliciously transformed by David Kinch into the evening's tomato-inspired dinners. Make reservations today by calling 408.354.4330. Open seating from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. The six-course dinners are $140 per person exclusive of wine, tax, and gratuity. Wine pairing is $80 per person; premium wine pairing is $130.

Celebrate the Holidays!

It's not too early to start planning your holiday celebration for 20-26 guests at Manresa. General manager Michael Kean can arrange all of the details for you. Please call Michael today at 408.354.4330.

James Syhabout Returns to Manresa

James Syhabout at the Alain Passard dinners. Photo courtesy of Chez Pim

Manresa Welcomes Back "Rising Star Chef "James Syhabout

James Syhabout, one of the San Francisco Chronicle Rising Star Chefs of 2007, will join Manresa as chef de cuisine, effective July 24. Mr. Syhabout will oversee kitchen operations under chef-proprietor David Kinch. He will be returning to Manresa where he was sous chef for nearly three years from 2003 to 2006. During his tenure, Manresa achieved its current four-star rating from the San Francisco Chronicle and was named one of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants by Restaurant magazine in London.

“Having James return to the restaurant is like welcoming home a family member after a long trip.” said Kinch in commenting on the appointment. “His hard work and talent as our sous chef was an important and integral part of our success, and his return keeps this important transition within our family. With his new responsibility of directing the kitchen and his understanding of how the restaurant operates, we know that James will continue to grow professionally, and together we will continue to build on our success and become the best restaurant that we can be. We are extremely excited about our future.”

Syhabout is distinguished as a 2007 San Francisco Chronicle Rising Star Chef, an honor bestowed upon talented, young chefs in the Bay Area by the San Francisco Chronicle. As the executive chef at PlumpJack Cafe in San Francisco, Syhabout was praised for creating “...some real excitement on the menu...” Under his leadership, PlumpJack Cafe earned a glowing three-and-a-half star review from The Chronicle in February 2007.

In 2005 Kinch encouraged Syhabout to work in Europe with the Michelin three-star restaurants The Fat Duck and El Bulli. He returned to Manresa briefly before joining Chef Daniel Patterson to open the restaurant Coi in San Francisco in 2006. From there he was tapped to head the kitchen at the flagship PlumpJack Cafe.

Kinch has remained one of his best mentors and he was the only chef that Kinch invited to cook with Alain Passard of L’Arpège for a series of special dinners at Manresa in March 2007. Syhabout said, “I am very excited to return to Manresa and work with David. It was only a matter of time before we would be working together again. Manresa has always been a second home to me.”

David Kinch is growing all of the biodynamic vegetables for Manresa at Love Apple Farm in an exclusive partnership with Cynthia Sandberg. Syhabout said, “I have a deep appreciation for quality ingredients and my involvement with Love Apple Farm opens new possibilities for creativity and positive challenges which makes Manresa unique.”

Gastronomy by the Bay

September 1-3

Join David Kinch for Gastronomy by the Bay at the San Francisco Ferry Building over Labor Day Weekend. This is the first international gourmet food festival where European and local chefs have the opportunity to come together to explore current and future culinary trends.

The festival’s three full days of culinary events include round table discussions, European and local chefs, gourmet food demonstrations, exclusive receptions, chef book signings, and an all-star gala dinner. Topics addressed include current news from the wine industry, organic produce and sustainable growth, as well as the booming new world of gourmet guides from Michelin to Zagat to Internet blogs.

Cooking demonstrations will be held during the Farmers Market on Saturday. Book signings will include Bay Area and Napa Valley star chefs, culinary authors and international stars. For information and tickets call 415.551.5190 or visit Gastronomy by the Bay. Please note that Manresa does not sell tickets.

Join David Kinch for the Sunday Morning Roundtable, September 2
Gourmet Ethics vs. Gourmet Chic
Sustainability and biodynamics, Slow Food: current news
Moderator: Joyce Goldstein, Chef, Author, Culinary Consultant
Tom Worthington, Monterey Fish, San Francisco, CA
Andy Griffin, Mariquita Farm, Watsonville, CA
Chef Marsha McBride, Cafe Rouge, Berkeley, CA
Chef John Ash, John Ash & Co, Vintner's Inn, Santa Rosa, CA
Chef David Kinch, Manresa, Los Gatos, CA
Julie Johnson, Tres Sabores Winery, Napa Valley, CA

Adieu Jeremy & Deanie Fox

Jeremy Fox and Deanie Fox at Manresa. Photo courtesy of Chez Pim

This month chef de cuisine Jeremy Fox and pastry chef Deanie Fox leave Manresa to pursue their dreams. Manresa sincerely wishes them the best of luck and much happiness and success in their new endeavors.