CHEF TIM HOLLINGSWORTH TO OPEN NEW WOOD-FIRE DINING CONCEPT AT OCVIBE

Acclaimed Chef Will Introduce a Neighborhood-Inspired Restaurant Featuring American
Cuisine with Interiors Inspired by Southern California

ANAHEIM, Calif., Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- OCVIBE, the 100-acre mixed-use district transforming the area surrounding Honda Center in Orange County, today announced that celebrated chef Tim Hollingsworth will open a new wood-fire dining concept in the district, opening in 2027. The concept will pair chef-driven American cuisine with an inviting, energetic atmosphere and interiors drawing from Southern California's mid-century design heritage, blending architectural character with the warmth and familiarity of a lived-in home. Hollingsworth joins OCVIBE's growing collection of culinary leaders, including chef Roy Choi and chef José Andrés.

At the heart of Hollingsworth's new restaurant will be a wood-fired kitchen, where pizzas, meats, and seasonal vegetables will be prepared over an open flame. A visible raw bar and pastry station will bring additional energy to the dining room, inviting guests to experience the craftsmanship behind each dish. The restaurant's design will create a place where guests feel just as comfortable stopping in for a casual dinner as gathering with friends and family for a celebratory night out.

"Tim Hollingsworth is a chef whose talent and sense of hospitality are matched by his deep ties to the Southern California community," said Anthony Olheiser, Senior Vice President of Hospitality at OCVIBE. "From the beginning, our vision for OCVIBE has been to partner with chefs who tell authentic stories and create places where people genuinely want to gather. Tim's lifelong connection to Orange County, from childhood trips to Anaheim to the OC guests who have made the drive to his restaurants in Los Angeles, makes him a natural fit, and we're thrilled to welcome him to OCVIBE."

"I've spent much of my career cooking in Los Angeles, and over the years, I've welcomed so many guests from Orange County," said chef Tim Hollingsworth. "It's exciting to now bring something to them in Anaheim. My vision is to create a restaurant that has the warmth and familiarity of your favorite neighborhood spot, while embracing the energy and excitement of everything happening around it. A place where the food is thoughtful, the atmosphere is lively, and the hospitality feels personal."

Hollingsworth, a Los Angeles-based chef who spent more than a decade at The French Laundry and received the James Beard Foundation's Rising Star Chef of the Year Award in 2010, brings decades of culinary experience to the project. His approach combines a foundation in classical technique with a contemporary perspective on American cooking, bringing a distinct culinary vision to Anaheim's evolving dining scene.

Building Orange County's Next Great Culinary Destination

Hollingsworth's restaurant will join OCVIBE's curated collection of five chef-driven signature dining concepts, including chef Roy Choi's Best Friend and Osen Urban Table. Together, the restaurants, along with chef José Andrés' restaurant at OCVIBE's SENA hotel, will bring distinct culinary perspectives and dining experiences to a district designed to make exceptional food part of everyday life, from casual weekday lunches and dinners to evenings built around live entertainment and special occasions.

The restaurants will also complement Katella Commons, OCVIBE's 50,000-square-foot market hall, creating a district with more than 35 food and beverage experiences. Featuring 21 chef-driven kitchens and six original bar and lounge concepts, Katella Commons will showcase a diverse mix of established local favorites, rising culinary talent, and original concepts, offering visitors even more ways to discover something new.

OCVIBE will begin welcoming guests in early 2027 with the opening of the district's 5,000-person-capacity concert hall and Katella Commons. The Weave office building and the first phase of OCVIBE's parks and public art program will also open in 2027, with the district's standalone restaurants, including Hollingsworth's, beginning to open in late 2027.

For images, photos, b-roll, and more information about OCVIBE and the OCVIBE culinary program, visit the OCVIBE Media Center. 

Media Contacts:

OCVIBE: Jessica Scaperotti/Erika Muir, [email protected]
The Door: [email protected]

About OCVIBE:

OCVIBE is a new district currently under construction in the heart of Orange County, California. Privately funded with a $5 billion commitment by the Samueli Family, OCVIBE will turn 100 acres of Anaheim into an easily accessible, walkable community and transform the area surrounding the Honda Center into a vibrant, year-round destination. The first phase of OCVIBE begins opening to the public in early 2027 and includes a concert hall, a public plaza, the Katella Commons market hall, and new office space at The Weave, the county's first mass timber office building in a mixed-use development. Once fully complete in 2033, the new community will bring 20 acres of open space to Southern California, along with three miles of connected walking trails, more than 2,000 residences, 35+ new dining experiences, and three state-of-the-art entertainment venues. The development of OCVIBE is one of the largest private investments ever made in Southern California and promises to bring unparalleled experiences and amenities to its visitors and residents.

SOURCE OCVIBE