On a wind-whipped April 1, Chef Michael Cherney and his wife, Sarah, their children, and about 125 friends and colleagues celebrated the five-year anniversary of the family’s Solvang restaurant, peasants FEAST, with an afternoon block party on a section of Copenhagen Drive.
The family-friendly event attracted many young families and several chef friends of the couple, who opened their eatery just two weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down businesses in 2000.
Attendees bundled up against the cold to enjoy craft beer, local wines, food trucks and a DJ. The line for smash burgers stretched around the rear of the restaurant and up to the counter.
The Cherneys’ years of planning, hopes, dreams and sacrifice leading up to their first restaurant were faced with uncertainty, but the pair pushed forward with opening, modifying and adapting their initial business model to meet the community’s pandemic needs.
The restaurant began by providing the then-newly-homebound Santa Ynez Valley with farm-fresh menu items prepared for takeout.
“Turns out, the pandemic was the ‘imperfect storm’ for us. Everything happened for the restaurant exactly how and when it was meant to, from opening with only three employees, to not being allowed to seat anyone inside for the first year and a half. It gave us an opportunity to grow organically, plan and adjust to the ever-changing dining landscape,” Michael Cherney said.
Peasants FEAST offers signature items such as seasonally-shifting grilled cheese creations, Instagram-famous sandwiches such as the Solvang Hot Chicken, Pastrami Smoked Salmon, “Thom’s Veggie Stack” or the “Lil’ McFEAST” Smash Burger, as well as a rotating array of tacos on house-made tortillas, such as the restaurant’s vegetarian mushroom tacos or local fish tacos.
Regularly-listed desserts at peasants FEAST include house-made ice cream and a family-favorite frozen lime pie. The eatery also offers specials that shift on a weekly and seasonal basis, all crafted by its executive pastry chef, Taylor Tate.
In January 2022, Cherney Hospitality Inc. expanded to open peasants DELI, directly across Copenhagen Drive from the main restaurant, and later that year, the team earned a listing in the 2022 Michelin Guide California as well as recognition as a new Bib Gourmand establishment — the only such site between Ventura County and the San Francisco Bay Area.
February 2023 saw the debut of the ARCADE at peasants DELI, the entrance to which is through a speakeasy-style doorway that leads from the deli counter area. It features 15 carefully curated, vintage video and pinball games, as well as an air hockey “arena.”
Peasants FEAST is located at 487 Atterdag Road in Solvang. FEAST, DELI and ARCADE are open for takeout or indoor or outdoor dining from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Industry Veteran Christopher Lynch New CFO at Coastal Vineyard Care
Coastal Vineyard Care Associates has announced the appointment of Christopher Lynch as chief financial officer, reflecting the company’s commitment to meet the growing demand for vineyard management and wine grape sales across the state.
“Chris is a leader in financial reporting and analysis, with a well-established track record of fiduciary responsibility and deep industry and vendor relationships. His financial acumen within the wine industry, combined with his strategic vision and leadership, will be instrumental in strengthening our foundation as we expand our services and continue to deliver best-in-class results,” said Mike Testa, co-owner of CVCA.
Before joining CVCA, Lynch served as CFO at Walsh Vineyard Management, vice president of operations at Foley Family Wines and controller at Intervine Inc.
He lectures at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management and serves on the board of directors for the California Association of Winegrape Growers, as well as the advisory board of Servico Building Maintenance. In 2019, he was recognized as CFO of the Year by the North Bay Business Journal.
Lynch is a certified fraud examiner and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and a master’s degree in business administration from UC Davis.
CVCA, founded in 1983 by Jeff Newton, offers a comprehensive range of services, including vineyard and custom farming, installation, consulting and grape sales for some of the most storied and vineyards in California. It has offices in Buellton and Napa.
Firestone Walker Releases We Love LA Pilsner for Wildfire Relief
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.’s latest release — We Love LA — is a crisp, refreshing West Coast pilsner brewed in support of wildfire relief efforts, available across all Firestone Walker locations, including Buellton and Paso Robles, as of March.
Fermented with German lager yeast and dry-hopped with citra, strata and lorien, We Love LA delivers a bright, fruit-forward aroma, a touch of malt sweetness, and a clean, crisp finish — everything you want in a California pilsner. It’s available in four-packs of 16-ounce cans while supplies last.
When wildfires tore through the Palisades and Eaton areas early in January, the team at Common Space Brewery in Hawthorne felt a call to action. They put out the word, and the beer community responded. Firestone Walker did not hesitate.
Today, more than 180 breweries across the nation have joined the We Love LA initiative, raising more than $275,000 to support the United Way of Greater Los Angeles’ Wildfire Response Fund.
Founded in 1996 by brothers-in-law Adam Firestone and David Walker, Firestone Walker Brewing Co. is a family-led second-generation brewery based on the Central Coast.
Peace of Mind Fundraiser at Alma Rosa Set for May 17
Alma Rosa Winery will host its sixth annual Peace of Mind: 10,000 Steps in the Right Direction fundraising walk at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 17.
Peace of Mind was created by Alma Rosa’s owners, Bob and Barb Zorich. The couple want to support community services for mental health, as well as research and treatment for anxiety and depression.
The five previous walks have raised $955,000 for two organizations, California’s One Mind and the Mental Wellness Center in Santa Barbara, according to organizers.
“Each year, this event highlights the incredible power of community in advancing mental health awareness and support,” Bob Zorich said. “This May, as we unite during Mental Health Awareness Month, we strive to surpass the $1 million milestone — funding that will directly benefit One Mind and the Mental Wellness Center. Every step we take and every dollar we raise create a lasting impact on those facing mental health challenges. We are profoundly grateful to everyone who joins us in this meaningful mission to drive change and offer hope.”
The walk’s entry fee is $60 per person and available until 3 p.m. Friday, May 16. Registration is available by clicking here.
Participants who register five or more people as a team for the event will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a complimentary wine tasting party for up to 12 people at Alma Rosa’s historic Ranch House. All proceeds from the walk, including the registration fee, will benefit both nonprofit organizations.
The 10,000-step walk (4.5 miles) across varied terrain will last about two hours. Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a glass of sparkling wine and non-alcoholic refreshments at the top of the estate.
After the walk, Alma Rosa will host a reception in the shade that will feature the winery’s latest releases, as well as wines from The Hilt Estate, Peake Ranch Winery, Sanford Winery and Clementine Carter Wines. Non-alcoholic beverages also will be available. Local musicians Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan will entertain the crowd, and food from the Santa Barbara Food Connection will be available for purchase.
As they have in past years, the Zorichs will match individual donations up to $35,000 for each organization for a total of up to $70,000, and corporate donations up to $25,000. Rio Vista Chevrolet, Wine Direct, The Towbes Group, CenCal Health and Sister Cities/Rotary Club are corporate donors.
The Zorichs purchased Alma Rosa in 2014 from founders Richard and Thekla Sanford. In 2019, Samra Morris was appointed winemaker.