Chris’s passion for food, cooking and all things hospitality developed at a very young age. His earliest memories of food was learning how to make traditional Filipino dishes with his parents, as well as eating copious amounts of it at family functions.

Despite being a Bay Area native, Chris’s professional hospitality career began in Denver, CO. There he attended Johnson & Wales University, where he attained his culinary and food service degrees while cultivating his skills.

For over a decade now, Chris has displayed his creative talents in multiple kitchens, most of which was spent at duo Restaurant in Denver and most recently at Bird Dog in Palo Alto. These two establishments helped refine his culinary style with a focus on working with local faire and produce with care and simplicity.

Marcus is a true steward of Hospitality, with Bay Area roots and experience running establishments like Namu Gaji, Iza Ramen, and Bun Mee, he brings charm, class and a strong background in wine and sake.

A San Francisco local, Nicolas Torres has been bartending in San Francisco for over 12 years. With extensive experience bridging neighborhood bars and dive bars to craft cocktail venues and fine dining establishments. His early days of Dives and Karaoke Haunts seem light years away from the double Michelin star bar program he would eventually create and manage at Lazy Bear.

His current program at True Laurel highlights both wild and farmed local produce alongside rare, unique, and small-batch spirits and wines. Torres’ close collaboration with the kitchen has led him to develop a hyper seasonal bar program, as well as championing preservation and sustainable techniques.

Originally from Seattle, Nora Furst grew up in the restaurant industry. Her parents opened Campagne when she was still a toddler, and some of her first memories are of sitting at the bar before service, eating creme brulee. She continued to grow up in the Seattle restaurant and bar scene, starting as a dishwasher and eventually moving into bartending and management roles.

During her time in San Francisco, Nora managed and consulted for Lolinda, Belga, Delarosa (both locations), and Dosa (three locations). She has also spent time behind the bar at many SF locales, of note California Gold, Horsefeather, Holy Water and True Laurel. In 2016, as operating partner and beverage director, she opened Uma Casa Restaurant in San Francisco’s Noe Valley alongside chef Telmo Faria. That same year, she was heralded Bartender of the Year by 7x7 Magazine.

Nora now resides in Portland, Oregon but continues to make her way up and down the west coast with consulting firm West Beverage.