Chef Gonzalo Guzman, Nopalito

05/25/15 • 33 min

Chef Gonzalo Guzman of Nopalito, one of San Francisco's most beloved Mexican restaurants, meets with Rebecca Goberstein on Nopalito on 9th's beautiful garden patio. The day was sunny, the kitchen was preparing for lunch, and the birds were kind enough to provide some background music. Raised in what he calls a 'box' of a house in Veracruz, Mexico, Guzman prepared his first meal, a pot of beans, at the age of six. As you listen to Guzman share his story, it'll be impossible to ignore his work ethic, his humility, and his total dedication to excellent food that reflects the Mexico that Guzman is proud to hail from. He was only a teenager when he made the difficult move away from his family in Mexico to work in the United States. And work, he did. Guzman constantly held multiple jobs at one time, starting out as a dishwasher at age 15. Because of the pride he takes in everything he does, even washing dishes, Guzman kept moving up the ranks of the kitchen, eventually impressing chef Laurence Jossel, owner of Nopa, a classic San Francisco restaurant in the Panhandle. If you’re thinking Nopa and Nopalito sound related, that's because they are. You’ll find out why in this interview. Music provided by Ben Sound.

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Gwyneth Borden, Executive Director, Golden Gate Restaurant Association

Gwyneth Borden, Executive Director of San Francisco's Golden Gate Restaurant Association, sits down with Rebecca Goberstein for the first episode of Menu Stories to discuss the importance of the restaurant community to San Francisco's culture and economy, something that any city can identify with. Gwyneth, who comes to the GGRA from the tech industry, also shares what makes the SF restaurant scene unique, compared with other major food cities, why the restaurant industry is the quintessential opportunity for immigrants to get their start in a new country, how the tech boom is impacting the SF restaurant scene, and why you should get involved with events the GGRA brings to San Francisco, like SF Restaurant Week and Eat Drink SF. Music provided by Ben Sound.

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Michael Feno, Lucca Ravioli Company

Michael Feno's family has owned Lucca Ravioli Company since 1925. Michael’s Great Uncle Francesco Stangalini came to San Francisco in the 1920s to look for work and eventually bought the existing ravioli company that produced pasta at this location in the Italian suburb that became the Mission District. Ever since, Lucca Ravioli has remained a family owned business and Michael started working at the shop in 1966, at the age of 11. We learn about Italian cuisine, how Lucca sources their ingredients and remains authentic to current Italian flavors, and hear Michael tell us how the Mission has changed over the decades.Music by Ben Sound.