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 Manhattan Beach, California.

BART THOMPSON GENERAL MANAGER DARREN’S RESTAURANT

As General Manager of Darren’s Restaurant in Manhattan Beach, Bart Thompson showcases his 10+ years experience in the restaurant industry, which includes everything from food and beverage manager to event planning, catering and management of employees.

Thompson has worked at some of the top restaurant chains in the country including Stuart Anderson’s Black Angus where he was food and beverage manager and oversaw inspections for both front and back of the house. In 2004, he became food and beverage manager at McCormick & Schmicks Seafood Restaurant, where he was instrumental in streamlining food and beverage costs to generate higher profit margins. Early in his career, Thompson was voted Best Server in the South Bay in the 15th Annual Easy Reader “Best of” poll.

In 2007, Thompson joined Darren’s Restaurant Owner/Chef Darren Weiss in orchestrating and managing grand opening events such as friends and family and special events for local business owners. He maintains a close tie with the South Bay community helping make Darren’s one of the most inviting dining establishments in the South Bay and Los Angeles area. With a passion for the service industry, it is Thompson’s mandate to make sure that every customer feels special, enjoys their dining experience to the fullest, and leaves with a smile on their face.

Thompson resides in Redondo Beach.