Chef Jeff Thurston

People are my Passion

Simply put, it’s all about the people—from the guests who fill our restaurants with buzz and energy, to the team members who take care of them. Cultivating a team is particularly rewarding: “Being a piece of someone’s development and seeing them achieve growth and success is the most rewarding part of what I do.”

Planning with Purpose

At one of LA’s most iconic venues, The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens, Chef Jeff gathers his inspiration from the gardens surrounding the tearoom from which he regularly incorporates ingredients into his menus, balancing tradition and technique with inclusion with innovation. And inclusion goes beyond the vegan-friendly and made-without-gluten menus into his kitchen where Chef mindfully fills positions with associates who have diverse backgrounds, talents and experiences.

Dinner and a Show

Because of Chef’s leadership, performance has been outstanding. Revenue is up, food costs are controlled, and the operation is profitable. Chef’s rock-solid press interviews and live demos have also been key to promote the newly renovated historic Tea Room.