Sprouts Chef/Somm Pop-Up Series with Hi Neighbor

The Eat Like A Chef, Drink Like a Somm Charity Series returns, this time bigger than ever! Now occupying the stunning Madrigal dining room at 100 Van Ness, Hi Neighbor is bringing forth a fresh lineup of SF's brightest chefs, and a new charity to highlight: Sprouts Chef Training, a local non-profit with the mission of empowering youth to rise from hardship through culinary training and job placement. Originally launched in 2015 by Hi Neighbor Partners Ryan Cole, Jason Halverson and Tai Ricci, this collaborative chef/somm series provides an affordable way to give back to local SF charities. Having raised over 400K in the first 5 years, Hi Neighbor Hospitality aims to continue their philanthropic mission through the re-birth of this epic series. Guests will experience a 5-course meal, rotating between dishes from our guest chefs and Jason Halverson, chef partner for Hi Neighbor. For those looking to enhance the experience, a supplemental wine pairing curated by both our guest somm and our Hi Neighbor beverage director will be available for the evening We are excited to host Chef Azalina Eusope of Azalina's. Chef Azalina is a fifth-generation street food vendor, moved to San Francisco 25 years ago. The only thing that could comfort her in the early days settling in and learning English was the food she grew up eating, so the pastry-trained chef cooked for herself, family and friends often. Over time, word got out about her home-cooked meals, and her hobby eventually turned into a business in 2010. Chef Azalina Eusope, has a reservation only, five-course, tasting menu restaurant in the Tenderloin, San Francisco. Chef Azalina is an active participant in the neighborhood and is actively working with SF Government and other groups to improve the living experience for everyone in the neighborhood. Azalina's is on the Michellin Guide, has a James Beard Nomination, and Chef of the Year (2023, Eater SF).

The Eat Like A Chef, Drink Like a Somm Charity Series returns, this time bigger than ever! Now occupying the stunning Madrigal dining room at 100 Van Ness, Hi Neighbor is bringing forth a fresh lineup of SF's brightest chefs, and a new charity to highlight: Sprouts Chef Training, a local non-profit with the mission of empowering youth to rise from hardship through culinary training and job placement. Originally launched in 2015 by Hi Neighbor Partners Ryan Cole, Jason Halverson and Tai Ricci, this collaborative chef/somm series provides an affordable way to give back to local SF charities. Having raised over 400K in the first 5 years, Hi Neighbor Hospitality aims to continue their philanthropic mission through the re-birth of this epic series. Guests will experience a 5-course meal, rotating between dishes from our guest chefs and Jason Halverson, chef partner for Hi Neighbor. For those looking to enhance the experience, a supplemental wine pairing curated by both our guest somm and our Hi Neighbor beverage director will be available for the evening We are excited to host Chef Brandon Rice of Ernest. Growing up on the East Coast, the Virginia native used to help his mom cook at home, developing an early fondness for food and knowing from a young age that he loved cooking. In high school, he worked at a local restaurant in Roanoke. It was at this time, when Brandon would go right from school to doing prep work at the restaurant in the afternoon, that he realized he could make a career out of cooking. After earning an associate degree in culinary arts at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, Rice went on to stage in esteemed kitchens throughout Europe, including Quique Dacosta in Spain and Noma in Copenhagen. He clocked time at Boston’s famed Clio before moving to the Bay Area to work at Coi - his first introduction to Northern Californian cuisine. While working there and experiencing Daniel Patterson’s focus on local, fresh produce, he knew he wanted the Bay Area to be home. From there Rice spent 5 ½ years as Chef De Cuisine at Rich Table in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley. It was here that Rice really found his voice and style of cooking. Rice now lives in Oakland. When he’s not working, Brandon enjoys trap shooting and watching the New England Patriots win.