We are thrilled to announce the arrival of our new Executive Chef, Tom McNary! The full piece done by Edible Monterey Bay, may be viewed below.

August 7, 2018 – Chef Tom McNary—owner of Carried Away caterers in Aptos—has been tapped to helm the kitchen at Soif restaurant in Santa Cruz.

“The choice to bring on Tom as our chef reflects what is most important to me,” says owner Patrice Boyle. “We have one of—if not the—best farmers market in the country. Tom has strong relationships and a commitment to many of these growers whom he sourced from at Carried Away over the past two decades.”

Before opening the Aptos business in 1989, McNary cooked at the legendary Chez Panisse.

“I have known Patrice for many years and we have talked about working together for a long time,” says McNary. “I love her vision for Soif – to present a menu and restaurant people want to visit multiple times a week because the food is fresh, creative and honest. The time was finally right for me to step away from catering and get back into a restaurant kitchen.”

With the addition of the new chef, guests will start to see some changes to the menu over the course of the next few months. “Right now, I’m focused on getting to know the team and will work to refine what’s already in place as I get settled into this new role,” says McNary. “I cannot wait to bring my approach to the menu while continuing to present a dining experience that offers some of the best local and seasonal ingredients around.”

Soif—long known for its wide selection of domestic and international wines—recently added a sophisticated cocktail program led by Bar Manager Matthew Barron, giving guests an opportunity to enjoy cocktails alongside the highly seasonal cuisine. Boyle has also brought in general manager Steven Billings, formerly of the three Michelin-star Manresa in Los Gatos and Providence in Los Angeles, to continue to build upon the warm and attentive service that guests have come to enjoy at the restaurant.