Rogelio Garcia, Chef
Born in Mexico and raised in Northern California with deep connections to local farmers, Rogelio Garcia crafts cuisine that masterfully blends classic French techniques with Japanese and Mexican influences, celebrating locally sourced ingredients. At just 31, he achieved his first Michelin star—a distinction shared by only a select few Mexican chefs globally. As Executive Chef of Auro, Chef Garcia's culinary artistry perfectly complements the restaurant's stunning vineyard setting in Calistoga. Under his leadership, Auro has garnered prestigious accolades, including Wine Spectator's 2023 Best of Award of Excellence and a coveted Michelin star—achieved merely eight months after opening and retained in 2024, making it Calistoga's only Michelin-starred restaurant. "For me, cooking is storytelling," Chef Garcia shares. "This menu begins in the fields and farms of Northern California. It captures my joy of ingredient sourcing; the excitement of beginning a new season; the smell of the sea and the soil; and my friendships with our ranchers, farmers and fishermen." A 2024 James Beard Foundation finalist for "Best Chef: California," Chef Garcia is also known for his appearance on Bravo's Top Chef Season 15 and is the author of Convivir: Modern Mexican Cuisine in California's Wine Countrypublished in September 2024. Opened in fall 2022, Auro offers an intimate dining experience with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing both the culinary team at work and a semi-private alfresco terrace with sweeping vineyard views. Chef Garcia's hyper-seasonal seven-course tasting menu, featuring his signature 'oro' (golden touch), is thoughtfully paired with selections from Sommelier Derek Stevenson's carefully curated 450-label wine list. "At Auro, we honour the ingredients and the labour that brought them to us," reflects Chef Garcia. "The tasting menu is a tribute to my evolution as a chef, influenced by the brilliant chefs I have had the privilege to work with. It is my hope that through gathering with friends and family around a meal, we can find common ground on the plate.
