5 QUESTIONS WITH ...

5 QUESTIONS WITH…

JOEL GUTIERREZ

The Costa Mesa resident is the new executive chef at Lido Bottle Works in Newport Beach. by Michelle Pagaran

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS NOW THAT YOU’RE IN CHARGE?

Putting my spin on what the restaurant is already doing, making even more things in-house, and staying true to the concept of being hyperseasonal, which fits my style of cooking very well.

ANY EXPERIMENTS TO SHARE?

A preserving and vinegar program for the kitchen, which will allow us to preserve some of last season’s (produce).

WHAT’S A PAIRING YOU RECOMMEND?

The Pruim & Proper wild ale from Mikkeller Brewing and our dry-aged pork chop. The brewery uses pluots and plums from Sunny Cal Farms, which is (the farm) our restaurant sources fruit from.

WHAT IS SOMETHING PEOPLE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU?

I was a professional poker player. I’ve always played recreationally, but I took it pretty seriously for six months playing at L.A. casinos.

YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE?

I want cooks who have the same passion and love for food that I have. The best way to do that is to be a mentor, be very nurturing, and teach them things.

MADE IN ORANGE COUNTY

Costa Mesa Founded by food blogger Lindsay Grimes Freedman, GOOD AND GOOEY offers baking mixes based on her health-forward recipes. The chocolate chip cookie and double chocolate brownie mixes are gluten-free and grain-free, made with almond flour, and sweetened with coconut sugar ($13 each). Order online and view recipes at goodandgooey.com.