Manresa Chef & Founder Plans To Leave His World-Class Restaurant

LOS GATOS, CA — Award-winning Chef David Kinch will hang up his apron at year's end at Manresa in Los Gatos, a three-Michelin-starred, internationally acclaimed restaurant he founded two decades ago.

The future of the famed, fine dining establishment — where lavish dinners start at $365 per person — remains uncertain, hinging on a possible sale or new ownership, according to management. Kinch set his departure for Dec. 31, with a slew of special, farewell menus in the works until then.

"For the past 20 years, Manresa has essentially been my whole life. And like all passion projects, it has been more challenging and more rewarding than I could have imagined," he said.

"Starting Jan. 1, I hope to establish a new equilibrium, to focus on the next exciting chapter of my life," said Kinch, lauded as one of the top 10 chefs in the world by Le Chef, “Chef of the Year” by GQ and James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef Pacific.

A Santa Cruz resident, he said he now plans to focus on his other area eateries, The Bywater in Los Gatos, Mentone in Aptos and Manresa Bread, a popular bakery, launched with James Beard finalist and baker Avery Ruzicka, with locales in Campbell, Los Altos, Los Gatos and Palo Alto.

Manresa's local and international accolades since its 2002 opening include: three Michelin stars for six consecutive years; Forbes Travel Guide Five Stars; AAA Five Diamond Rating; La Liste Top 10 restaurant internationally; Wine Enthusiast “America’s Best Wine Restaurants”; inclusion in World’s 50 Best and membership in Relais & Chateaux and Les Grandes Tables du Monde.

The restaurant survived two fires over the years. One in 2014, was ruled arson and was followed by a remodel. The second in 2018 caused minor damage and was listed as accidental, management said.

A 2016 Emmy winner for his role in the PBS series “The Mind of a Chef,” Kinch also published two cookbooks. The first, "Manresa: An Edible Reflection” (2013), was a dedication to his restaurant, while the second,"At Home in the Kitchen: Simple Recipes from a Chef's Night Off [A Cookbook]" (2021), offers 120 "unfussy" recipes.

For his final days at Manresa, Kinch, along with Chef de Cuisine Nicholas Romero and Pastry Chef Courtney Moisant, are hosting celebration and commemoration dinners with seasonal menus featuring new dishes and classics from the past two decades.

For its dinner service, Manresa serves a Chef's Tasting Menu, at $365 per guest, with a focus on seasonal ingredients spotlighting California’s Central Coast. "Into the Vegetable Garden" dishes begin and then bookend petit fours end all Manresa meals.

"Until the end of the year, I look forward to a joyous four months, welcoming back all who have supported us over the years to enjoy the restaurant one last time in its current iteration." Kinch said "Let’s have a party and celebrate together! We can’t wait to see you all soon. As Keith (Richards of The Rolling Stones) would say: ‘Got to move while it’s still fun.’”

For more information and bookings on upcoming Manresa events through 2022, follow this Tock link.

Manresa is located at 320 Village Lane, Los Gatos. Those interested in the business or property can contact John Machado at Colliers International for sale details.

Chef Kinch's other eateries include The Bywater, an ode to his New Orleans upbringing, and Mentone, an Italian- and French-Riviera- inspired restaurant serving lunch and dinner.

Manresa Bread, a bakery concept that began in the Manresa kitchen, is renown for its classic breads, pastries, scones, croissants and quiches. Its most recent location opened in April at Town & Country Village in Palo Alto.

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