Lewis Rossman
Executive Chef
Executive Chef Lewis Rossman,
a rising culinary star, has been instrumental in defining and creating this Half Moon Bay restaurant's three-star award-winning cuisine over the past several years. At Cetrella, Rossman offers a menu of lusty, elegantly rustic Northern Mediterranean cuisine inspired by the coastal villages of France, Italy and Spain, with liberal use of the local bounty, including seasonal produce, cheeses from nearby artisans and fresh harbor seafood.

Chef Rossman has nine years of extensive culinary experience at some of the Bay Area's top dining spots. For Rossman, working with food is an art form, and he is intensely passionate about creating exceptional menus.

Rossman grew up in rural Buck's County, a charming area outside of Philadelphia filled with farmlands, wineries, and local artisans, reminiscent of California's Napa Valley. The eldest of five children, Rossman inherited his parents' love of fine food and cooking - a love that would eventually guide his future. After graduating from the California Culinary Academy, he worked at the San Francisco Marriott Hotel. A sustained curiosity about the foods of other countries led Rossman to supplement his formal education with extensive travels throughout the Mediterranean. His visits to Italy, Greece, Turkey and Israel helped to shape his understanding and appreciation for simple, rustic cooking, inspiring his keen enthusiasm for incorporating local farmer's produce into his menus.

Rossman also worked at Tuscany-inspired Acquerello, rated one of Wine Spectator's 10 best Italian restaurants in the U.S., which he considers one of his greatest learning experiences. Rapidly rising through the ranks from line cook to chef de cuisine, he worked closely with award-winning chef Suzette Gresham. Rossman became involved in all aspects of the restaurants cuisine and operations. To further expand his experience, Rossman then went to Kokkari in San Francisco, where he learned about operations and cooking for an upscale high-volume restaurant, specializing in Mediterranean cuisine.