Harvest Inn Appoints Colin Rupp as Executive Chef
Harvest Inn, part of the Woodside Collection, is excited to welcome Executive Chef Colin Rupp to its signature restaurant, Harvest Table. With an impressive culinary background and a passion for crafting exceptional dining experiences, Chef Rupp brings a wealth of expertise to his role at the charming retreat in the heart of St. Helena following eight years at the acclaimed and celebrated Morimoto Napa.
"We're thrilled to welcome Chef Rupp to the team, where he'll lend his expertise of the Napa Valley culinary scene to continue establishing Harvest Table as one of the region's foremost culinary establishments," said Vern Lakusta, general manager at Harvest Inn. "We look forward to showcasing his talent for creating an unforgettable dining experience for guests paired with a positive and collaborative culture among our culinary team."
Born and raised in Phoenix, Chef Rupp spent his early twenties working various hands-on roles in Washington and Alaska, including stints as a salmon fisherman and longshoreman, which provided him with a heightened understanding of the importance of the freshest ingredients and local, sustainable sourcing. His quest for knowledge led him to the United Kingdom where he attended Sunderland University, earning a certification in British brewing technology.
After returning to his home state, he found his culinary calling at the Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, where he entered the industry as a banquet cook before transitioning to Renata's Hearth, formerly Wright's at the Biltmore, a high-end Latin restaurant within the hotel. There, he spent 4 years progressing from sous chef to chef du cuisine.
In 2015, Chef Rupp joined the team at Morimoto Napa and ascended through the ranks from sous chef to executive chef, ultimately overseeing a large and dynamic team of over 35 culinary professionals.
Chef Rupp is set to revamp the menus at Harvest Table, infusing them with his culinary vision. His dedication to scratch cooking fuels his passion for working with local purveyors and the intricate anatomy of dishes, while his experience with wood-fire cooking will continue to influence the direction of his menus.
Harvest Table is known for highlighting locally sourced ingredients from the farmers and purveyors of Napa Valley for a compelling dining experience in a welcoming atmosphere. Wine is sourced entirely from Northern California, with 90% of selections coming from Napa County, so guests can immediately decipher local choices in addition to signature cocktails and local microbrews. Signature monthly events include One Main Cigar Dinners, an evening of live music, farm-to-table cuisine and cigar and wine tastings held monthly from March through November, and the newly launched Winemakers Dinner Series, an opportunity to meet and mingle with some of Napa Valley's top winemakers and held monthly from May through October.
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