Chef Stories at Auberge Collection


Photographer: Verena Dohmen

Location: Los Olivos & Napa, California

Commissioned by Auberge Collection

Commissioned by Auberge Collection, I photographed two in-house culinary destinations – BEAR at Stanly Ranch in Napa Valley, California, and The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern in Los Olivos, California. The project is rooted in Auberge’s approach to hospitality: thoughtful kitchens shaped by their surroundings and the people behind them.


Across both properties, I followed the executive chefs through their kitchens, gardens, and sourcing environments, documenting not only the culinary craft but also the stories behind it – how ingredients are sourced, how relationships with local producers are nurtured, and how this network of community and collaboration feeds back into the dining experience itself.


The resulting imagery highlights the connection between chef, product, and place, combining editorial food photography with environmental storytelling. The work is designed for culinary features, chef profiles, and brand storytelling within luxury hospitality contexts.

Two gardeners tending to plants in raised beds outside a glass greenhouse on a farm.

BEAR at Stanly Ranch

At Stanly Ranch, I followed Chef Anthony Stagnaro (BEAR) through the kitchen and surrounding gardens, capturing his approach to seasonal cooking, ingredient sourcing, and the connection between the restaurant and its Napa Valley environment.

Male chef in apron crouching near herb garden outside greenhouse.
Hand slicing golden beet on wooden cutting board with chef knife, fresh vegetable preparation in kitchen.
Two men stand in a lush garden, one wearing a straw hat and one in a chef's apron, surrounded by herbs.
Farmer harvesting fresh red leaf lettuce from a raised garden bed in soft sunlight.
Chef in apron stirring steaming pot of sauce in professional kitchen.
Chef in apron picking yellow flowers in a sunlit garden, surrounded by lush greenery.
Close-up of a hand picking fresh green herbs from a lush garden bed in natural sunlight.
Overhead view of roasted tomatoes and herbs in a silver pan on a rustic wooden table with a knife and bowl.
Man in straw hat harvesting fresh herbs in a lush garden with a modern building in the background.
A man wearing a straw hat crouches to inspect fresh herbs growing in a garden bed.
Sunny outdoor restaurant patio with wooden tables, chairs, and lush planters under a pergola.
Chef in apron holding a ladle over a steel mixing bowl while cooking in a professional kitchen.
Hands placing bay leaves on sliced golden beets in a pan, surrounded by spices, herbs, and a mortar on a wooden table.
Chef pouring sauce over colorful roasted vegetables in a copper pan on a rustic wooden table.
A chef in an apron pouring sauce from a pan into a stainless steel mixing bowl in a professional kitchen.
A golden cocktail garnished with dried flowers sits on a wooden table beside a cozy outdoor sofa with cream pillows.
Chef's hand stirring dark red sauce in stainless steel bowl.
A poached egg bowl with smoked salmon and carrots beside a citrus cocktail on a wooden table.
Sunset reflecting golden light through glass windows of modern building 240 at dusk.
Hand pouring dark sauce over roasted pumpkin slices garnished with fresh thyme in a pan.
Warm outdoor restaurant patio with wooden tables, pendant lights, and lush greenery in golden evening light.
A beautifully set wooden table with colorful dishes, fresh herbs, and wine glasses in warm sunlight.

The Inn at Mattei's tavern

At Mattei’s Tavern, I documented Chef Kevin Malone across the kitchen and sourcing spaces, focusing on his culinary craft, the relationships with local producers, and how those ingredients translate into the restaurant’s dishes.

Chef smiling outdoors near a rustic wooden building surrounded by lush greenery and palm trees.
Person slicing a perfectly cooked steak on a wooden cutting board with a sharp knife.
Chef in dark apron carefully seasoning a colorful dish in a professional restaurant kitchen.
Chef garnishing a bowl of spaghetti carbonara with fresh herbs in a professional kitchen.
Fresh scallops served on ice in shells on a plate at Bar La Cote restaurant.
Hands slicing roasted pork on a wooden cutting board with a sharp knife, revealing juicy pink meat.
Vintage bakery storefront with striped awning, Coca-Cola signs, and rustic decor in warm sunlight.
Woman enjoying outdoor brunch with toasted bread, fresh salad, orange juice, and iced coffee on a wooden table.
Bell's restaurant exterior sign hanging on a white building facade with warm lighting and decorative ironwork.
Artisan bakery display shelf with fresh daily breads including sourdough, babka, and baguettes.
Chef plating spaghetti carbonara with caviar garnish in a white bowl in a professional kitchen.
Golden sauce simmering in a copper pan over blue gas flame with steam rising in a dark kitchen.
Elegant fine dining plate with gourmet dish beside a glass of red wine on a rustic wooden table.
Chef in black apron smiling while plating food in a professional restaurant kitchen.
A juicy tomahawk steak with grill marks cooking on a commercial grill in a restaurant kitchen.
Woman in white shirt enjoying a gourmet burger with fries and white wine at a wooden table.
Charming outdoor restaurant patio with garden views, white water tower, and historic farmhouse.
Elegant carpaccio dish with microgreens and radish served alongside a glass of white wine.
Professional chef plating a gourmet dish with a spoon in a modern restaurant kitchen.
A bowl of creamy pasta garnished with fresh herbs and red pepper flakes served with a copper fork.
Chef working in a professional kitchen wearing a black apron, preparing food at the stove.
Person walking past a historic white water tower and farmhouse surrounded by lush gardens.
Elegant restaurant interior with leather chairs, set tables, green-framed windows, and warm ambient lighting.
Chef in green apron plating fresh spaghetti pasta into a bowl using tongs in a professional restaurant kitchen.

Behind the Scenes: Chef Kevin Malone, Mattei's Tavern, Video

In addition to editorial food photography, this project also included culinary videography: behind-the-scenes footage of Executive Chef Kevin Malone at Mattei's Tavern in Los Olivos preparing his signature Ubi Carbonara. These clips capture the energy of his kitchen – fun, conviviality, and precision – and reflect video as a growing part of my work in chef and culinary storytelling.

Watch on Instagram
Chef in green apron stands outside a rustic farm building surrounded by lush greenery and palm trees on a sunny day.

Say hello. Let's work together.

Have a similar project in mind? If you’d like me to capture your hotel or resort through my lens – perfect for social media marketing, newsletters, or other advertising – get in touch and let’s create stunning visuals together.

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