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...

Cruz Kitchen & Taps, replacing the old Saturn Café, was opened in 2022 by co-owners Mia Thorn and Dameon DeWorken. Thorn, an oncology nurse, looked for a bright side during Covid and found herself wanting to be more involved in the celebratory side of life.

Opened three months ago in the Seacliff neighborhood of Aptos, Castelli’s Caffé and Deli has been embraced by the locals. Chris Castelli owns the new spot with her son, Vittorio, with a motif she defines as Italian-style New York deli with California flare.

Before becoming co-owner of Shockwave Food, area native Brandon Burgess was a bouncer at the Felton Music Hall – the venue where the cuisine is currently being made and served.

Perla Pineda has been passionate about cooking since she was a little girl, growing up with the perspective that food is a way to connect with family, friends and culture. Three years ago, she and her husband Sergio wanted extra income and a way to have fun.

The Cadillac Café is a neighborhood gem and local hub, proven so by its many regulars and multi-generational following.