Our Team

LUCA CRESTANELLI

Executive Chef and Owner/Partner S.Y. Kitchen

Chef Luca Crestanelli was born and raised in Verona, Italy where he received his Gastronomy and Culinary Arts degree. Luca’s career has taken him across the globe which has not only increased his language fluency but has also refined his epicurean sensibilities through exploration and hands-on discovery of regional cooking traditions throughout the world.

In 2002, Chef Luca arrived in the United States to work at Vincenti in Brentwood, California under the tutelage of renowned Chef Nicola Mastronardi. After three years, looking to expand his horizon, he accepted a position as a private chef. For the next six years, Luca traveled extensively, exposing himself to a variety of culinary cultures. He discovered age-old methods and cooking techniques as well as ingredients and recipes from each town and village he visited. All the while, he honed his personal style of creating authentic local cuisine honoring traditional Italian dishes.

In 2010, Luca was invited by the Gordon family, owners of Brentwood’s famed Toscana, to become executive chef, and launch their new Bar Toscana. Luca was challenged to create an inspired menu for a restaurant/bar concept that would complement their innovative craft cocktail and wine program.

Several years later Crestanelli learned about an old farmhouse/restaurant that had become available in downtown Santa Ynez. He had always envisioned himself creating a rustic restaurant, sourcing his products from local fisherman, ranchers, farmers and vintners, and infusing his Italian style with a rural sensibility. Chef Luca pitched the idea to Toscana owners Mike and Kathie Gordon. Already residents of Santa Ynez, they enthusiastically embraced the idea and partnered with him to create S.Y. Kitchen in 2013. S.Y. Kitchen opened to rave reviews from locals and visitors from around the country. Chef Luca states, “This concept of ‘farm to table’ is too obvious for me. Of course, we’re surrounded by all of these fresh, local ingredients, why wouldn’t we go directly from the field to the kitchen? There is no other way of preparing brightly flavored, fresh food; I believe it’s my purpose in life.”

Chef Luca thrives on keeping the restaurant fresh with new ideas. Within a few years, he and his team added The Courtyard, for relaxed outdoor dining under the warm Santa Ynez sky.  Recently he opened The Plenty Terrace for private events and additionally created another kitchen, perfect for offsite catering events.

Chef Luca lives close by in Ballard with his wife Pearl and two young daughters, Violet and Josephine. When he’s not in the kitchen, he loves to spend time in the majestic outdoors visiting the infinite beauty and bounty offered around the Santa Ynez Valley and the Central Coast.

FRANCESCO CRESTANELLI

Sous Chef

Younger brother of Chef Luca, Francesco reunited with his brother thanks to their mutual love and respect for food.  Upon completing his studies and culinary work in Verona, Italy, which also included learning traditional French chocolate making and training as a gelato maker, Francesco found himself at Ristorante La Pesa in Australia.

After living separate lives for a number of years, Francesco joined Luca at his side at S. Y. Kitchen, where he brought his skilled talent for the fine art of fresh pasta making.  Of his culinary explorations, Francesco says, “I am happiest when I can feel the flavors dancing on my palate.”

KATHIE & MIKE GORDON

Owners/Partners S.Y. Kitchen

The Gordon’s first venture into the restaurant world happened in 1989 when they honored and cultivated Mike’s passion to have his own restaurant, and opened Toscana.  Located in Brentwood, California, Toscana is just now celebrating it’s 25th year as one of Los Angeles’ most successful Italian restaurants.

Complementing Toscana, Kathie & Mike added Bar Toscana next door in 2010 along with Mike’s son, Andy.  Bar Toscana, located right next door, suggests hip and cool to Toscana’s more traditional nature.  In the creation of Bar Toscana the Gordon’s had the good fortune to meet Luca Crestanelli and hired him to open the kitchen in their new bar.

Now owners and partners of S. Y. Kitchen, Mike and Kathie pursued yet another dream, this time partnering with Chef Luca, to create a decidedly different Italian dining experience in the Santa Ynez Valley.  They brought with them their passion to not only serve simple, fresh dishes, dispense flavorful cocktails,  pour some of the best wines from the Central Coast and Italy, but to also offer their guests a friendly, welcoming environment, they might even call home.