Jason Rose Selected As Culinary Director For Dean & Deluca, Oakville Grocery, Rudd And Edge Hill

Napa Valley-based entrepreneur, vintner and restaurateur Leslie Rudd has selected Jason Rose as the Culinary Director for Dean & DeLuca St. Helena, Oakville Grocery, Rudd Oakville Estate and Edge Hill Winery - all part of the Leslie Rudd Investment Company (LRICo). A rising star chef in the Bay Area, Jason has an extensive culinary background at some of the regions's most beloved restaurants, and he has also helmed the food programs at a hotel, winery, catering company, non-profit, and market. Most recently, Jason was the Executive Chef of Ram's Gate Winery in Sonoma.

In his new role, Jason will work to create and execute outstanding culinary programs that will include prepared food, private label products and catering at Dean & DeLuca and Oakville Grocery, as well as catering for private events at the wineries.

"I am delighted that Jason is joining the LRICo family," said Leslie Rudd. "This is an exciting development in our company, as we are committed to making both Dean & DeLuca and Oakville Grocery the top gourmet markets in the region, and elevating the food programs at our wineries so that they match the beauty and elegance of our wines. With an extensive background in food, wine and hospitality, Jason brings just the right experience for this varied position."

"I could not be more excited for this new chapter in my career, and to join this company that includes such beloved and iconic brands," said Executive Chef Jason Rose. "To think that I have the opportunity to relaunch and enhance the menus at places such as Dean & DeLuca and Oakville Grocery - which have such a loyal following and are essential parts of both the local and tourist experience in Napa Valley - is a dream. I am equally excited to cook and prepare food at these extraordinary wineries so that the food only enhances the wine experience. And to be able to source the very best ingredients from our own farm makes it all that much sweeter."

Prior to his new role, Jason was the Executive Chef for Ram's Gate Winery in Sonoma, which received as much recognition for its food as it did on its wine (and just received three-stars from the San Francisco Chronicle). Jason also held the position of Project Manager for the Delfina Restaurant Group, which includes the James Beard Award-winning Delfina, along with Pizzeria Delfina and Locanda Osteria and Bar. Previously, Jason served as the Culinary Director for the Tyler Florence Group, where he was responsible for all recipe and menu development and recipe database management. Prior to that he was the Culinary Director for La Cocina, a non-profit, food-based business that helps low-income women launch food businesses; while there, he developed San Francisco's first street food festival, which raised over $80,000 for La Cocina. Jason's love for the Napa Valley was cemented when he worked as the Executive Sous Chef at The Carneros Inn, after serving as the Prepared Foods Director for the Mill Valley Whole Foods. After receiving a degree in culinary arts from Newbury College in Brookline, Massachusetts, Jason began his career in Boston working at Top of the Hub, Truc and Legal Seafood.

Dean & DeLuca was founded in 1977 with the opening of its flagship store in SoHo New York, and quickly grew into a multi-channel retailer of gourmet and specialty foods, premium wines and high-end kitchenware with operations throughout the US and abroad. The St. Helena store is unique in many ways - much of their produce is grown on local farms, many of their cheeses are made from local artisans and all of their 1400+ wines are Californian.

The 130-year old Oakville Grocery is a historic landmark in the heart of Napa Valley, and is currently undergoing a major renovation, with the reopening in May 2012. With Jason's