Celebrated Chalkboard Chef Returns to Healdsburg

Chef Shane McAnelly, the culinary force behind Brass Rabbit and Chalkboard, is stepping into a new role at chef Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen.

Bricoleur Vineyards Chef Shane McAnelly, left, and sous chef Evan Castro in the winery kitchen on Thursday, February 18, 2021. (Photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

Ricotta Gnudi, with a brown butter, sage and butternut squash sauce, paired with the Bricoleur 2018 Russian River Valley Unoaked Chardonnay from Chef Shane McAnelly's tasting menu at the new Bricoleur Vineyards in Windsor on Thursday, February 18, 2021. (Photo by John Burgess/The Press Democrat)

By Heather Irwin

August 2023

When chef Shane McAnelly left his post at Bricoleur Vineyards in 2021, it broke my heart. The culinary force behind Healdsburg’s Brass Rabbit and Chalkboard seemed to have found his stride in the kitchen of the sprawling Windsor winery.

The good news: McAnelly is back and stepping into a new role at chef Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen. Huzzah.

“Super excited about my new opportunity and to be back cooking beautiful California produce,” McAnelly said in an Instagram post.

I’m looking forward to what he’ll bring to the iconic Healdsburg restaurant. Stay tuned for more details.