Today is the Beer Chef, Bruce Paton’s 69th birthday. Bruce has been doing fantastic dinners pairing great beer and gourmet food for over twenty years in the Bay Area starting at Barclay’s Restaurant and Pub in Oakland and continuing at the Clift and Cathedral Hill Hotels in San Francisco. He’s has been doing events and consulting at various food and beverage operations since the hotel closed in 2009, so look for more of his beer dinners in the coming months. I’ve been to many, many of Bruce’s food events and they’re all spectacularly top notch. He did around eight each year. More recently, he’s cooking at Fermentation Labs in San Francisco. Raise a toast and stuff your face in wishing Bruce a very happy birthday.
My hands down favorite photo of Bruce, which I took for the Chef’s Association of the Pacific Coast newsletter. I don’t think this is the one they used, but, by far, as I think it captures Bruce’s spirit and his great love and passion for what he does with his cooking and beer.
Giving a cooking demonstration with Garret Oliver, brewmaster at Brooklyn Brewery and author of The Brewmaster’s Table at the 2005 GABF.
Bruce with Russian River co-owner Natalle Cilurzo.
Me and Bruce New Year’s Day a few years ago at Barclay’s.
Ainz says
the more pictures of Natalie, the better …
Dave says
I would have to agree with you on this one Ainz. Beautiful woman.
Mike Pierce says
Happy “Double Nickles” to Bruce – an icon, a tremendous chef and a hellavu nice guy!
Mike Pierce says
That should read ‘nickels’..
Ed Chainey says
Happy Birthday Chef Paton! See you at Miss Pearl’s.
Ed Chainey says
Happy Birthday Reprise!
And Congrats for the Miss Pearl’s gig. I’ll see you there!
Laissez les bon temps rouler!
Kim and Harry says
Happy bday Bruce! Hope to check out your cuisine at Miss Pearl’s.
beerman49 says
A couple days late, but I’m on board w/Kim, Harry, & Ed – hope a brew dinner date hits where the 4 of us can share a table. A friend of mine’s wife hired Bruce for a surprise 50th bornday party – the food was out of this world.
Kim and Harry Graham says
Hoppy beerday Bruce! Long time no see. Usually run into you at Beer Rev but not lately. Sounded like you had lots of projects going on last time we talked. Sure miss those beer dinners! Any coming up?
Have a great born on day!