Anaheim's Newest Restaurant Builds Team

ANAHEIM, Calif., Aug. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Rossi, known amongst many in the local Orange County dining scene for his most recent role as executive chef at the legendary Ambrosia restaurant and also at his previous position as part of the opening team of Disney's® award-winning Napa Rose restaurant has been named executive chef for THE RANCH Restaurant & Saloon slated to open fall of 2011.

Rossi, an Orange County native, attended the prestigious California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, graduating at the top of his class. Degree in hand and a desire to learn European tradition he traveled to Italy and worked in one of southern Italy's finest restaurants at Michelin starred restaurant, Il Principe in Pompeii leading him to land in Bologna to work alongside one of Italy's greatest chef's, Bruno Barbieri at the Michelin two-star restaurant, Locanda Solarola. He has also worked alongside notable chefs such as Roy Yamaguchi when he opened Roy's Newport Beach and Food Network's "Two Hot Tamales", Susan Fenniger and Mary Sue Milliken at Santa Monica's Border Grill.  In addition to his education and experiences, Rossi has also completed his second level certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers.

Initially, Rossi joined THE RANCH to assist vice president of food & beverage and Master Sommelier, Michael Jordan in developing the food & beverage program. Rossi & Jordan previously worked together at Napa Rose, "Michael Rossi is a rising star chef, having worked with him before and knowing his cooking style I knew immediately that THE RANCH was a perfect fit for him," said Jordan.

Rossi and his team have been hard at work since January of this year in THE RANCH research & development kitchen developing the menu and creating the restaurant's recipes. Along with Rossi, executive sous chef, Evan Stanley and pastry chef, David Rossi designed the menu to be seasonally driven and feature true regional American cuisine that pairs well with wine.  

A portion of the restaurant's produce will be supplied by 'Edwards Ranch'; home to the restaurant's own farm located on property of THE RANCH's owner & founder, Andrew Edwards. Rossi says he is looking forward to the opening, "It's every chef's dream, to literally be able to create a menu from the ground up and bring it to the guest's table; I am excited to be a part of this venture and can't wait until we open!"

The Farm

On a portion of an acre of Edwards Ranch, Rossi & Jordan planted over 400 heirloom tomato vines featuring 90 different varieties at the beginning of this year. Amongst the heirloom tomato varieties includes other heirloom vegetables, many of which are considered to be close to extinction. Some of the vegetables & fruits that are currently ripe for picking are: cucumbers, peppers, squash, beets, corn, spinach, kale, heirloom melons, pumpkin and blueberries. All of the vegetables and fruits planted on the farm will be utilized on the restaurant's menu. "The farm provides a "jewel box" of specialty produce," said Jordan.

The R&D Kitchen

Edwards is also the owner & founder of Extron Electronics, a leading manufacturer of professional AV system integration products for over 28 years. Edwards had an R&D kitchen fabricated within Extron specifically for the purpose of research; providing Rossi and his team the ability to design and create signature dishes for THE RANCH. All menu design and recipes have been made possible by Edwards' commitment to research, quality and service; principles that have built the continued success of Extron.

THE RANCH is currently under construction and is located at 1025 East Ball Road, Anaheim on the ground floor within Extron Electronics Corporate Headquarters minutes from Disneyland, The Anaheim Convention Center, Angel Stadium and The Honda Center. The phone number is 714.817.4200. For more information on THE RANCH, please visit www.theranch.com.

Contact:  Melissa Cutter (714) 780-4042

SOURCE THE RANCH Restaurant & Saloon