Chef Bethany Gonzales

Chef At Home in Atascadero

I am a professional chef with over 17 years of culinary and hospitality experience. My journey started out in my home kitchen cooking with my mom, who instilled a passion for baking.

I studied baking and pastry at The Art Institute Santa Monica and I currently am the lead chef at Ancient Peaks Winery in Santa Margarita CA where I run the day to day operations of the Cafe as well as catering, corporate events, and menu development.

When not working, I spend my time with my husband and our 3 daughters.

For me, cooking is...

For me, cooking is therapeutic, its an escape from all the noise of life. It excites me to see how people respond to my passion on a plate.

I learned to cook at...

I learned to cook as a kid, always in the kitchen with my mom or my grandmother's.

A cooking secret...

Using fresh ingredients that speak for themselves.

My menus

Italia in Cali

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Charred artichokes with chef’s aioli

Antipasta skewers

Tomato, mozzarella, and fresh basil with balsamic reduction

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chicken meatballs with tzatziki, orzo, and roasted vegetables

Grilled portobello steaks, whipped mashed potatoes, and grilled vegetables

Eggplant parmesan with fresh pasta and homemade marinara

Chicken marsala

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Tiramisu

Lemon olive oil cake

Key lime pie

Vineyard Elegance

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Bacon wrapped scallops

Shrimp cocktail shooters

Charred artichokes with chef’s aioli (vegetarian)

Tomato, mozzarella, and fresh basil with balsamic reduction (vegetarian)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Local mixed greens with fresh strawberries, goat cheese, candied almonds, and balsamic dressing (vegetarian)

House Caesar salad with fresh shaved parmesan and ciabatta croutons (vegetarian option available)

Local mixed greens with locally sourced fresh vegetables and champagne vinaigrette (vegetarian)

Local mixed greens, grilled corn, radish, baby heirloom tomatoes, citrus cilantro dressing (vegetarian)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Braised beef shortribs with thick cut pasta

Roasted halibut with cherry tomato, bell peppers, and olives

Soy citrus grilled halibut with rice pilaf and roasted rainbow carrots

Grilled portobello steaks, whipped mashed potatoes, and grilled vegetables (vegetarian)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Affogato

Bougatsa

Tres leche cake

Flourless chocolate torte with mixed berry compote

California Comforts

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Bruschetta on fresh local bread (vegetarian)

Charred artichokes with chef’s aioli (vegetarian)

Shrimp cocktail

Antipasta skewers

Caprese salad

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

House Caesar salad with fresh shaved parmesan and ciabatta crutons

Local mixed greens with grilled peaches, goat cheese, candied almonds, and a balsamic dressing

Fresh local greens, cucumber, tomato, and red onion (vegetarian)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Bone in pork chops with warm apple chutney, mashed potatoes, and roasted asparagus

Tritip, vegetables, and feta roasted potatoes

DESSERT

Choose 2 dishes

Hot fudge brownie sundae

Key lime pie

Fresh fruit tart

Decadent flourless chocolate torte with berries

Ocean Indulgence

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Shrimp cocktail shooters

Bacon wrapped scallops

Cheviche shooters

Tomato, mozzarella, and fresh basil with balsamic reduction (vegetarian)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Fresh local greens, cucumber, tomato, and red onion (vegetarian)

Local mixed greens with grilled peaches, goat cheese, candied almonds, and balsamic dressing (vegetarian)

Local mixed greens with locally sourced fresh vegetables and champagne vinaigrette (vegetarian)

House Caesar salad with shaved parmesan and ciabatta croutons (vegetarian option available)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Roasted halibut with cherry tomato, bell peppers, and olives

Shrimp scampi with fresh pasta and asparagus

Soy citrus grilled halibut with rice pilaf and roasted rainbow carrots

Grilled veggie fajitas with rice and beans (vegetarian)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Flourless chocolate torte with mixed berry compote

Affogato

Mini fruit tarts (vegetarian)

Tiramisu

Exclusive European

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Charred artichokes with chef’s aioli

Antipasta skewers

Feta and spinach puff pastry

Tomato, mozzarella, and fresh basil with balsamic reduction

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Local mixed greens with locally sourced fresh vegetables and champagne vinaigrette

Local mixed greens with strawberries, goat cheese, candied almonds, and balsamic dressing

House Caesar salad with shaved parmesan and ciabatta croutons

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Roasted halibut with cherry tomato, bell peppers, and olives

Soy citrus grilled halibut with rice pilaf and roasted rainbow carrots

Grilled portobello steaks, whipped mashed potatoes, and grilled vegetables

Local beef lasagna

Eggplant parmesan with fresh pasta and homemade marinara

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Flourless chocolate torte with mixed berry compote

Affogato

Tiramisu

Tres leche cake

Celebration Dinner

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Crispy wontons with guacamole and pico de gallo (vegetarian)

Charred artichokes with chef’s aioli (vegetarian)

Shrimp cocktail shooters

Antipasta skewers

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

House Caesar salad with fresh shaved parmesan and ciabatta croutons (vegetarian option available)

Fresh local greens, cucumber, tomato, and red onion (vegetarian)

Local mixed greens with fresh strawberries, goat cheese, candied almonds, and a balsamic dressing

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Taco bar (shrimp, veggies, cilantro lime chicken, steak) with rice and beans

Bone in pork chops with warm apple chutney, mashed potatoes, and roasted asparagus

Pan seared scallops with whipped potatoes and roasted vegetables

Osso buco over creamy mashed potatoes and rosed vegetables

Braised beef shortribs (roasted vegetable) with thick cut pasta

Papusa with barbacoa shortribs, cabbage slaw, pickled red onions, and avocado crema

Prime beef steak, horseradish cream sauce, crispy onions strings, whipped potatoes, and roasted Brussel sprouts

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Hot fudge brownie sundae

Lemon olive oil cake

Key lime pie

Personal tres leche cakes with fresh berries

Fresh Mediterranean

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Fresh bruschetta on local rustic sourdough

Feta and spinach puff pastry

Crispy wontons with feta and spinach

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Local mixed greens with locally sourced fresh vegetables and champagne vinaigrette

House Caesar salad with shaved parmesan and ciabatta croutons

Local mixed greens with fresh strawberries, goat cheese, candied almonds, and balsamic dressing

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Fresh veggie lasagna

Braised beef shortribs with thick cut pasta

Chicken marsala

Chicken meatballs with tzatziki, orzo, and roasted vegetables

Grilled portobello steaks with mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Bougatsa

Flourless chocolate torte with mixed berry compote

Fresh fruit tart

Chef’s Signature Surprise

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Shrimp cocktail shooters

Bacon wrapped scallops

Charred artichokes with chef’s aioli (vegetarian)

Feta and spinach puff pastry (vegetarian)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Local mixed greens with strawberries, goat cheese, candied almonds, and balsamic dressing (vegetarian)

Local mixed greens with locally sourced vegetables and champagne vinaigrette (vegetarian)

Local mixed greens, grilled corn, radish, baby heirloom tomatoes, citrus cilantro dressing (vegetarian)

House Caesar salad with parmesan and ciabatta croutons (vegetarian option available)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Prime beef steak, horseradish cream sauce, crispy onion strings, whipped potatoes, and roasted Brussels sprouts

Soy citrus grilled halibut with rice pilaf and roasted rainbow carrots

Grilled portobello steaks, whipped mashed potatoes, and grilled vegetables (vegetarian)

Papusa with barbacoa shortribs, cabbage slaw, pickled red onions, and avocado crema

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Bougatsa

Tres leche cake

Flourless chocolate torte with mixed berry compote

Affogato

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Chef Bethany's reviews

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2 services

WOW! Couldn’t have asked for a better meal. Chef Bethany took care of every detail and still took the time to recommend us some local options for activities to do the rest of our weekend. She was super responsive and open to questions and suggestions on the menu. The place settings were thoughtful and fit our theme perfectly. She made our birthday dinner so special! We will definitely be reaching out again if we’re celebrating a special meal in the area again.