Steve Pickell Returns as Executive Chef of Thornton Winery’s Café Champagne

Thornton Winery is pleased to announce the return of our most popular chef, Steve Pickell.  Pickell returns to Café Champagne as Executive Chef on January 21, 2008.  He brings a strong background in Contemporary Fusion Cuisine cooking techniques combined with a talent for putting a fresh spin on regional specialties.  “Chef Pickell’s enthusiasm and creativity is exciting,” said Steve Thornton, President of Thornton Winery. . “Our guests enjoy one great experience after another because of his influence on our menus and presentations.”

Pickell was appointed Executive Chef at Café Champagne in 1993, and has brought his imaginative, sophisticated cuisine to Café Champagne for over twelve years.  Twice voted  “Chef of the Year, he won the prestigious California Restaurant Writers Association (CRWA) “Chef of the Year” award in 2003 and the Southern California Restaurant Writer’s Association “Chef of the Year” in 2005.  "We salute Chef Pickell for bringing a recognized level of excellence and acclaim to the art of Wine Country cuisine. His demonstrated innovation and dedication exemplifies Thornton Winery’s standards of excellence,” explained John Thornton, co-owner of Thornton Winery 

Chef Pickell’s menu philosophy is complemented by Winemaker Don Reha’s concept of winemaking.  Their combined expertise showcases the regional characteristics of local grapes that make up the distinctive flavors of Thornton Method Champenoise Sparkling Wines and premium varietal wines.  This combination has made Thornton Winery’s Café Champagne a consistent award-winner year after year. “It’s great to be back,” says Chef Pickell. “I am looking forward to sharing new menu ideas for  the restaurant, the Jazz Concerts, and our banquet/ wedding division, seeing old friends, and just generally settling in with a renewed sense of passion and ideas.

# # #

Note to our media partners:  Thornton Winery is the premiere food, wine, and music experience in the Temecula Valley Wine Country.  A private weekday lunch or dinner to review the new menu and Chef’s vision for the restaurant can be arranged. Simply email Linda Kissam, Media Director at lindakissam@aol.com to experience what’s new at Café Champagne.