Dave Cruz

Dave Cruz began his culinary career cooking in notable New York city restaurants such as March, Mas (farmhouse) and Nobu. Moving to California, Cruz made a name for himself as the opening Chef of Thomas Keller’s Ad Hoc.

Under Cruz, Ad Hoc received a 3-star rating from the San Francisco Chronicle and was included in the publication’s annual list of “Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants,” each year he was there. In collaboration with Keller, Cruz co-authored “Ad Hoc at Home”. The title won both James Beard and IACP awards and appeared on the New York Times Best-Seller list.

Following his tenure with Keller, Cruz went on to open Little Gem Restaurant in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley where he garnered similar acclaim. The popularity led to a second outpost, Little Gem on Union, as well as two other concepts, Jax & Max Fried Chicken and Taqueria Dos Ninos. Cruz has been featured in Food & Wine, O, and Wine Spectator.

His TV appearances include stints on the Cooking Channel, Food Network, The Today Show, The Early Show, and Martha Stewart.