Word travels fast in the local food world, and the hottest buzz this week is the departure of Patrick Quillec at the French Garden.
Quillec, who came on the scene about a year ago, seemed to be the chef that owner Dan Smith had been looking for. Repeatedly. Over the last several years, the Sebastopol eatery has been a revolving door of chefs who’s roster has included Mark Malicki, Didier Gerbi, Christophe Bony, and Peter Roelant.
Set to start this week in the kitchen is Arturo Guzman, a former Exec Sous Chef from Meadowood and Exec Chef at Dawn Ranch Lodge in Guerneville. Because of the restaurant’s recent positive reviews and uptick in business — reportedly the last four months were some of the restaurants best ever — Guzman had already been under consideration to assist Quillec in the kitchen. He will instead leapfrog to Exec Chef at the Garden.
So what happened? Conjecture is the rumored partnership stake in the restaurant that had been offered to Quillec if his tenure resulted in success. Though both Smith and Quillec indicated that the business relationship had been working several months ago, allegedly the two had different expectations which resulted in Quillec’s departure.
Smith tells BiteClub: “We appreciate very much that Patrick raised the bar at French Garden and wish him well. Patrick gave us the opportunity to take the next step forward, which we feel Arturo can now do with us. Arturo’s extensive experience in a larger, highly rated restaurant in the region will serve us well in many areas.
Our vision of Sonoma County Regional Cuisine remains unchanged as does our goal to attain Michelin star rating. In our view, this is one more step on that path. We have also launched a new farm to table website, frenchgardenfarm.com where we are selling our organic produce and fruits directly to consumers.”
Once again the revolving chef door has everything to do with the ineptness of the owners. At what point do they look in the mirror and realize the problem is them — not the stream of disenfranchised chefs and management staff who have come and gone at French Garden. Within months, Guzman will be gone too.
Oh, bummer. It’s one of my favorite restaurants; we live in Reno and whenever we get within 100 miles of Sebastopol we make a detour and eat at the French Garden.
Oh, bummer. It’s one of my favorite restaurants; we live in Reno and whenever we get within 100 miles of Sebastopol we make a detour and eat at the French Garden.
How sad! Just as the restaurant was starting to get rave reviews… I hope Quillec finds another position locally so we can continue to appreciate his talents.
How sad! Just as the restaurant was starting to get rave reviews… I hope Quillec finds another position locally so we can continue to appreciate his talents.
Once again the revolving chef door has everything to do with the ineptness of the owners. At what point do they look in the mirror and realize the problem is them — not the stream of disenfranchised chefs and management staff who have come and gone at French Garden. Within months, Guzman will be gone too.
OMG!!!! If you ever find out, please tell us the reason!
They should have their own reality show – Chef Roulette…from the first pastry chef who left as they opened to this — what is the story?
OMG!!!! If you ever find out, please tell us the reason!
They should have their own reality show – Chef Roulette…from the first pastry chef who left as they opened to this — what is the story?