Indigenous Edibles by John Farais

Specialties

The only chef in the Bay Area that designs his menus around America’s Native ingredients and techniques. A Sonoma County chef who specializes in the history, taste and promotion of the Americas’ indigenous cuisine-​plants and animals that have been in the Americas for hundreds if not thousands of years. He has dedicated himself to developing a rapport with his clients by discussing the history, traditional uses of Native American ingredients at each course of his dinners. You come away from the dinner feeling excited about what you just experienced. His cuisine combines the historical, healthy natives with a contemporary approach and unique never-​before-​tasted flavors. A real learning, tasty experience.

Specializing in Native and also California Mediterranean cuisines,

he can cater for your next dinner, party, outdoor grilling, BBQ’s, pit cooking, smoking foods, theme parties. Also available for lectures, and cooking classes, he has lectured at SFSU, Oakland Museum, Slow Food USA.

Meet the Business Owner

John F.

Business Owner

In the last 7 years I have quit working in restaurants to develop my passion for Native American ingredients. I studied natural history, ethnobotany, and anthropology, before concentrating on food. As we get to know our food sources, we learn about the historical significance in its application and recipes. It is my goal as a food professional, to expose my audience to the ancient and native flavors and for you to rediscover what has been a part of our history. My approach has developed a cuisine that combines the historical natives with the contemporary, thus bringing recognition to these mostly overlooked, traditionally healthy foods. My culinary experiences envelopes a variety of all things food:

Cooking a fundraiser for Slow Food creator Carlo Petrini, and Actor Peter Coyote.

Entertaining Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey.

Foraging for Mushrooms at Tomales Bay and Marin County.

Eating on the trail of a 100 mile horse drive.

Outdoor dinner for Elder and esteemed Basket-​maker Julia Parker