James Murphy

The journey began with my Grandma not allowing me in the kitchen at first. She knew what she was doing - - a subtle coaxing that eventually allowed me to snap the ends off string beans or stir the sauce. But never without her 2 cents and direction. Next was going to Europe at 10 years old to stay with my relatives in Vallecupa, Italy. Half way between Rome and Pompei in the mountains inland from Gaeta. My relatives created head-to-tail dishes from their own livestock and gardens. Stone ovens glowed as they turned out fresh breads and thin crust pizzas. San Francisco is where I 'busted my chops' learning from the Masters of Gastronomy - - Chef Michael Mina (Innovative Seafood) - - Jeremiah Towers (CA/French) - - Emily Luchetti (Dessert/Pastry) to name a few. After watching the housing market in SF go from $550,000 to $850,000 in less than 2 years, I decided to move back to the Central Coast - - San Luis Obispo County - - where I moved to from Los Angeles over 35 years ago. Now my focus is my family. My kids have developed a palate and I continually try to bring tastes from around the world to them. Bali, Korea, Japan, Hawaii, Europe, Mexico, Central & South America - - where I stop, nobody knows. Come walk with me as we explore the far reaches of the Earth, and possibly Universe, for the best food we can find...