Come and celebrate the achievements of our industry members while enjoying a multi-course feast of fantastic food paired with our best wines. This year’s guest chefs are the creative trio behind Simpatica Dining Hall and Catering and Laurelhurst Market.
David Kreifels, Jason Owens and Benjamin Dyer are the Chef-Owners of Laurelhurst Market and Simpatica Dining Hall and Catering, located in Portland, OR. The three of them have been partners for four years, working together on a variety of food businesses, including a steakhouse, two butcher shops/charcuteries, a supper club and a catering company. Drawing on their diverse backgrounds -David is a Portland native, Jason is from St. Louis , Missouri, and Ben grew up in Kona, Hawaii- they bring a variety of passions and culinary history.
Laurelhurst Market, which opened in May of 2009, is part steakhouse and part butcher shop/charcuterie. It has already received Best New Restaurant, 2009 from Portland Monthly Magazine and was listed under Top Ten Dishes Of The Year for its Fried Chicken by Food and Wine Magazine. Known for working closely with local farmers and ranchers, they have managed to create an alternative to the staid and stuffy steakhouse of old.
Simpatica Dining Hall and Catering started as a small supper club, moving around Portland until finally setting up shop in the historic Pine Street Theater building. Accolades for Simpatica include Ten Hottest Restaurants in the Country, 2006 in Bon Appetit Magazine, and Top Ten Meals of the Year 2006, USA Today Magazine. They also received Artisan of the Year 2006, for their butcher shop/charcuterie, Viande Meats & Sausage. Additionally, Simpatica Catering was named Best Caterer of the year, 2008 by Portland Monthly Magazine.
