Rogelio Garcia’s love for California wine country runs deep. Born in Mexico and raised in Los Angeles and Napa, Garcia began his culinary journey at just 15 years old, starting as a dishwasher in Yountville. Since then, he’s honed his skills in some of wine country’s most prestigious kitchens, with stints at award-winning restaurants like Cyrus, Calistoga Ranch, and The French Laundry. He also oversaw the kitchen at Spruce in San Francisco, where he would ultimately earn his own Michelin stars.
This April 4–7th, foodies can experience Garcia’s cooking at Pebble Beach Food & Wine, an annual culinary spectacular that draws premier chefs, sommeliers, and food industry innovators to Pebble Beach Resorts in Monterey County. There, Garcia will be showcasing his seasonally driven, Napa-inspired cuisine alongside 125 chefs from around the world.
Most days, however, the season 15 Top Chef alum can be found at one of two Calistoga fine dining establishments he helms, Truss Restaurant + Bar and Auro, which picked up a Michelin star in 2023. Both concepts celebrate Napa Valley’s renowned produce and terroir, a theme Garcia explores in his upcoming cookbook, Convivir: Modern Mexican Cooking in California’s Wine Country. Garcia took the California Questionnaire, sharing his appreciation for California’s world-class wineries, roadtripping, as well as few of his other Golden State favorites.
Where do you live? I live in the Napa Valley. I grew up here, so being able to be part of such an amazing community has been incredible. From the wineries and restaurants to the produce, it’s such a great place to be part of.
Why there? Because it allows you to be creative. I enjoy being part of a community that is innovating and always pushing the envelope.
Who or what is your greatest California love? My greatest California love would be the weather. You can be in wine country enjoying a glass of wine, on a hike in Marin County, surfing in Santa Cruz or skiing in Lake Tahoe. California is so beautiful and has a lot to offer.
What is the biggest misperception about Californians? The biggest misconception about Californians is that we are vegans. We are—haha—but we also love great food. Vegetables are so good here. When they are at the peak of the season it’s very hard not to like them—the figs, melons, tomatoes, you name it.
What is the stereotype that most holds true? I feel that in California a lot more people are starting to pay attention to what they eat and where their food comes from.
What is your favorite Golden State splurge? My Golden State splurge would be eating out. I love exploring new restaurants. It’s part of my research and development—any cuisine gets me inspired. I also love to support great chefs who do great food.
Time for a road trip—where are you going? I would love to go to all the national parks, I would love to learn more about their history and culture.
If you could decree an official state culinary experience, what would it be? I would say showing kids how to grow and eat their food in high school. That should be a requirement. I wish when I was in high school there had been a program that showed us that. I would have really enjoyed learning that at a young age.
What is your favorite way to play in California? I love spending time with family. We cook, eat, and clean up the dishes together. Being a chef is demanding but being able to spend time with family is such an incredible feeling.
Where would you go for the ultimate shopping spree in California? I would go to San Francisco. San Francisco has so much to offer: great food, bars, shopping, everything you need is in San Francisco.
Best California song? Tony Bennet’s “(I Left My Heart) In San Francisco.”
How would your California dream day unfold? My California day dream would be a long morning hike in Marin, brunch in Sonoma, then wine tasting in Napa Valley. Lunch in Healdsburg, then dinner in San Francisco.
