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DARREN
WEISS
CHEF/OWNER
DARREN’S RESTAURANT
Warm, welcoming and hospitable describe Chef Darren Weiss and
his new restaurant, Darren’s in Manhattan Beach, Calif.
“For me, cooking has always been about having fun
and being creative,” says Weiss. “It’s
also a very rewarding thing to do because when you cook for people,
you’re sharing yourself with them through different interpretations
of dishes and use of ingredients. In the end, it’s all about
making people feel welcome and making them happy.”
Weiss has always had a passion for cooking and has never let what
some might consider a huge obstacle (Darren is deaf) deter his
dream. After graduating from The Culinary Institute of America
in Hyde Park, NY in 1996, Darren set out to put what he’d
learned in the safe confines of a cooking school environment to
the test. His first stop was at the Grand Wailea Resort &
Spa in Maui, Hawaii where sharpening culinary techniques against
the backdrop of time constraints provided him with a solid foundation
and valuable hands on experience. He also worked at David Paul’s
Lahaina Grill, Grand Wailea Resort and Spa in Wailea, Hawaii and
Avalon Bar and Grill in Maui.
In 1998, Darren left Hawaii and returned to his native Santa Monica,
securing a spot at Rockenwagner where he worked as both pantry
and line cook. At Rockenwagner, Darren enjoyed the invaluable
experience of working under the guiding influence of Chef Hans
Rockenwagner. Clearly, working for Rockenwagner was a turning
point for Darren, giving him the experience and the confidence
to open his own restaurant, Café Catalina.
The Redondo Beach eatery, which opened in 2000, had challenging
location issues as it was situated in a small strip mall. But,
the word started to spread about Weiss’s unique interpretations
of game, exotic fish and shellfish and in no time, Weiss had built
a loyal following and had earned some critical nods from Los Angeles-area
food writers. Weiss had a successful five-year run with Café
Catalina.
With stints at Villa Sorriso in Pasadena, Calif., I’Cugini
in Santa Monica and an
Executive Chef Position at La Bahia Restaurant at Horseshoe Bay
Resort, Darren continued his quest to continue learning, both
from a culinary and business standpoint.
Wanting to once again run his own show, Darren began looking for
a space where he could showcase his talent for creating American
fare with Mediterranean and Asian influences. In October, 2007
Darren found a new “home,” securing what was formerly
the home of Avenue.
“This is a very exciting time for me,” says the 40
year-old Weiss. “It’s good to be back in the South
Bay after a brief hiatus and I hope to see some old friends and
make lots of new ones. We want people to come in and feel really
comfortable and at home – regardless of whether they’re
wearing denim or velvet.”
Weiss resides in Playa del Rey, California.
RENZO
PINILLOS LUCK
CHEF DE CUISINE
DARREN’S RESTAURANT
Renzo Pinillos Luck has over 13 years experience in both casual
and fine dining restaurants. He says he always had a passion for
cooking from an early age. Growing up in Lima, Peru, Renzo began
his culinary journey at the young age of 16, working as a Line
Cook at the Sheraton, Lima Hotel & Casino. While still working,
he was going to school to get a Graduate Certificate in Hospitality
Management from CENFOTUR. Two years later he moved on the Hotel
Oro Verde, a 5-Star luxury hotel and a member of “The Leading
Hotels of the World.” There he worked under the direction
of Milan Chef Stephano Toffanelli and learned about the preparation
of Italian cuisine. Renzo moved from Lima to Miami in 1998 and
for the next four years garnered experience and a variety of different
cooking styles from working in two independent restaurants, Tutto
Pasta Ristorante and Inside Restaurant, respectively.
He moved to Southern California in 2003, working as Sous Chef
at Andres Restaurant and Tea Tree Café, in Torrance. Then
in 2005, Renzo became Chef Christian Shaffer’s right hand
man at Avenue Restaurant in Manhattan Beach as Chef de Cuisine.
With the sale of Avenue in October 2007, Renzo was asked to stay
on board after new owner Chef Darren Weiss bought the restaurant.
Weiss had heard great things about Renzo’s talent and work
ethic and hired him as Chef de Cuisine.
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