Meet ERIK LOWE | Chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with ERIK LOWE and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi ERIK, what do you attribute your success to?
The people. It’s a challenging time for the industry and hiring people but there are still great ones out there. We are so lucky to have found the people that work for us. We are out in the public eye a lot so they find us too! I love what I do and have found a crew that wants to follow that lead. In northern California every chef makes good food, it’s our people that keep the guests coming back.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I love food and it’s pretty much always on my mind. I like to always use familiar flavors and make good versions of classic dishes. They are classic for a reason, for me thats’s the secret, do what people want. I can experiment at home but when it’s game time give people what they love. No one wants to hear Snoops new country western song at the Halftime show, I’m sure it’s great but it will never be C-Walking to the Next episode.

The restaurant industry isn’t an easy place to work, in San Francisco in the 2000’s into 2010’s It was pretty normal to work 16 hour days. That was the way, and I loved it but it’s hard to break out of it too. I have a family now and want to spend time with them. I would like to figure out a way for chefs and restaurant people to work a little less and still make enough money to live. That’s my goal.

I want the world to know that our food is made with love by people that care.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My brother was in town last week, we went for a hike at Crane Creek, had a cider tasting at Horse and Plow in Sebastopol, tasted the Rainbow ay Psychic Pie then just hung out in our yard for the rest of the day. That was a really good day, thats just one day. There are too may places and people that I love to see in Sonoma County to name. If I wasn’t working I’d probably say go to the East Side Petaluma Farmers Market (and get a Myriad Coffee), Henhouse Palace of Barrels, Flat Bed Farm, or Three Fat Guys Winery. We cook often at those places. Really like Barber Lee Spirits in Petaluma too for a cocktail. Okay thats enough for now can’t give up all my secrets.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shout out to my wife Jennette, and my kids!

Website: www.belfaresonoma.com

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