SF’s 30 Under 30 and More A.M. Intel

SF has three semifinalists on Zagat’s 30 under 30 list

Zagat has put together a national list of people that are (you guessed it) under 30 in the hospitality industry, and doing a bang-up job. The finalists are announced in June, and the winning list in September. Good luck to SF’s semifinalists:

• Hannah Ziskin, 29, pastry chef, Nopa
• Aevan Matthew Balan, 29, beverage program manager, Manresa Bread
• Amber Blalock, 28, pastry chef, Craftsman and Wolves

Nothing is sacred anymore, not even vegetables

This Saturday (tomorrow), Berkeley’s farmer’s market has been canceled due to an unpermitted alt-right Trump rally that is expected to become disruptive. After March 4’s protest against alt-right troll Milo Yiannopoulos on Cal’s campus that turned violent, no one is taking any chances. A statement from the Ecology Center, the organization that runs Berkeley’s many markets, says:

The police department has informed us that they expect large numbers of people coming to the park during peak market hours. A similar event on March 4th (March 4 Trump) was unpredictable and resulted in several injuries. It is our goal to create a safe and welcoming environment for all customers, vendors, and staff at our farmers’ markets. Based on the information we have, we do not feel it is responsible to run a market on Saturday the 15th.

The Ecology Center has been working closely with the Mayor, City Manager, and Chief of Police on this issue. They have committed additional resources to try to protect the market, however there is no way for them to fully ensure our safety.

While this is a real financial blow to our farmers and vendors, we cannot put a price on safety. Please support our vendors by visiting them at our other two farmers’ markets on Tuesday and Thursday, and future Saturday markets. Our market is built on relationships, and this community is very strong. We will be right back the following week. We hope you will be, too.

A recap of La Cocina’s “Voices From the Kitchen” series on race

The storytelling series has been touching on topics important to the industry; last week’s topic was on race, and included a wide range of speakers. Here’s the recap on the very excellent event, including tidbits from speakers, and more great intel.

Luncheonettes are back in style

The Bay Area is undergoing an influx of old-style, modern luncheonettes, and we’re not the only region. It’s a movement picking up across the country, according to an Eater report. Upcoming restaurants in SF include City Counter and Theorita; Dad’s Luncheonette is already doing booming business in Half Moon Bay.