Inspiration Manresa…

Earlier this year I had an assignment to photograph for Saveur Magazine’s first restaurant issue. The focus of this special issue was to reveal 12 restaurants that matter in the US. One of my assignment for the issue was to photograph David Kinch’s restaurant Manresa in Los Gatos, CA. David is a star in the food world, has been awarded 2 Michelin Stars for his restaurant, nominated for a James Beard Award this year and last week beat Bobby Flay in Iron Chef America… by 10 points.

I was anxious to meet him and to make pictures. I flew into San Jose around mid-day. I started to set up a studio for my food shots upon arriving at Manresa. David came out and we strategized on the shoot. I told him what I needed; elements of the restaurant, energy in the kitchen, him cooking and of course his food. At his Manresa it was very casual and quiet.

After I tested my light and we arranged the food props, he slowly started to bring out his food, one plate at a time, giving me plenty of time to photograph exactly what I wanted from each plate. It was just the two of us and I noticed how he took so much delight in watching me make the pictures and in me tasting his food, too. This really surprised me, how sincere and excited he was about his cooking to sharing his creations. It was so refreshing to work with someone at his level that still had the joy and love for what he did, even for me – someone he’d never met.

Here’s to that spirit that lies in all of us, the one that keeps us excited about the things we create both big and small.

Thanks David…what a great joy it is to give those gifts away…