Cal Stamenov, Bernardus Lodge
415 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley
888-648-9463
How good is Chef Cal Stamenov? Consider that at one charity auction last year, bidding on a private dinner for 12 to be cooked by Stamenov had already reached $20,000 and looked like it was going to go higher until the auction host stepped in and asked Stamenov if he’d be willing to cook two private dinners—with a total of $40,000 going to a charity to involve at-risk kids in the culinary arts. Stamenov hung his head, gave that funny little grin of his and agreed. He’s Monterey County’s secret weapon of a chef, masterful with locally grown produce (he maintains a 2-acre garden at Bernardus), fiercely independent with ingredients (you could still find outlawed foie gras on his menu in the not-too-distant past), and he cooks with passion and precision. Yo, James Beard Awards and Michelin—you feeling us on this? Time to pay Stamenov his due.