.Andrew Steingrube

A mainstay in the heart of downtown since 1993, locals have been going nuts for the popular Walnut Avenue Café.  Mike Bobadilla originally started there as the general manager in 2001.

Born and raised locally, Josh Fisher worked for over 20 years in the restaurant industry, doing everything from dishwashing to cooking. Seven years ago he opened Left Coast Sausage Worx in the heart of the Capitola Village.

Hank Kim, chef and owner of the recently opened Far East + Kitchen in Scotts Valley, has spent his entire career in the restaurant industry. Originally born in Seoul, he moved here in 2003 with the sole goal of putting his heart and soul into a restaurant he could call his own.

ocated just a couple blocks from Twin Lakes Beach, Deke Ramirez has owned his namesake Deke’s Market and Deli for 18 years. Originally born and raised in the Central Valley, he moved to the Bay Area after college...

Ratana Bowden grew up working in her family’s restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand, before moving on to a corporate job in electronics. She married an American and moved to Santa Cruz 17 years back. After taking time to enjoy living in the United States, she found herself wanting to open a Thai restaurant here. In 2012 when she was offered ownership of Real Thai Kitchen. The menu is classic Thai food based on passed-down family recipes.

A family-owned business for over 40 years staffed almost entirely by long-term employees, El Chino has been owned by Maria Gallardo since 2017. Her...

My brother and I pay homage to the best New York pizza that we could find. Before starting the business, we traveled to New York to try out different pizzerias. We brought that inspiration home...

A former recreational therapist, when Julie Kellman fell in love with plants, she moved to Santa Cruz and opened what would become a popular...