Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/599676
4 8 | t h e c l e v e r r o o t Going Local with Chef of Esters in Santa Monica, CA BY KAREN MONEYMAKER PHOTOS BY EMILY HART ROTH Chef Jeremy Fox of Rustic Canyon oversees Esters culinary offerings, featuring small plates infused with his creativity and rep- resenting his commitment to great local ingredients that pair well with wine. Co-owner and Wine Director Kathryn Coker oversees the day in and day out operations of Esters (alongside husband, Tug). D ynamic restaurateurs Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan have expanded their already robust culinary empire to include the newly opened Esters in downtown Santa Monica, California. ere is a nice balance of crossover between the restau- rants and projects of Loeb and Nathan, as Esters is across the hallway from their newly opened restaurant Cassia, and is stocked with goodies from their family of restaurants; Rustic Canyon, Milo & Olive, Huckleberry Café & Bakery, and Sweet Rose Creamery. Executive Chef Jeremy Fox lends his talent to Esters' small plates, with Pastry Chef Jun Tan taking on the Chef de Cuisine role. Longtime Rustic Can- yon team members Kathryn ("Kat") and Tug Coker oversee the day-to-day operations. e Clever Root caught up with Chef Jeremy Fox to discuss Esters, his favorite purveyors, and the people and places that inspire him as a chef. The Clever Root: How has working on this project (Esters) and by extension with this family of restaurants (Rustic Canyon) differed from your past experiences in the kitchen, on the line, and in the development of a restaurant? INSPIRATIONS