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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