Lone Tree, CO
Chef: Executive Chef Scott Hybbeneth
Scott Hybbeneth began his professional cooking career working part time as a way to earn extra money to pay for college. After graduating from West Virginia University with a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources, Scott realized his forte was in the kitchen rather than out in the “field.” After graduation, Scott worked his way up through the ranks of several restaurants in his native New Jersey. After a job at the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, he followed his dream to live out west and landed in Denver in November 1996. Scott honed his high volume skills as a Sous Chef at the Wynkoop Brewing Company, before heading to the venerable Barolo Grill. Here, Scott was given the opportunity to learn the art of pastry and desserts. During his tenure, Scott served as Pastry Chef as well as Chef de Cuisine. It was not until a trip to Italy’s Piemonte in 1998 that Scott fell in love with the sincerity and simplicity of Northern Italian food. On subsequent trips to Italy and other European countries, he had the unique opportunity to meet with food and wine producers and was privileged enough to indulge in some of the best meals of his life. Sourcing artesian products and working with the finest seasonal ingredients became the backbone of his cooking.
His food can be characterized as country style with a mix of modern sensibilities. Scott left Barolo in 2007 to open The Gaslamp Grill with a partner. Here he was able to draw on his wealth of culinary knowledge to create an American style bistro menu influenced by foods and ingredients from around the world. Scott also gained front of the house experience and learned the value of hospitality through exceeding guest’s expectations. Scott has taught classes at The Seasoned Chef Cooking School designing and leading both demonstration and hands-on workshops. He has a knack for making learning easy and having fun in a relaxed environment. His love of travel has led him around the world in search of interesting foods and a perfect beach. Some of his culinary influences have been Kara Levine, Carol Pignatore and Jack Tripper.
On your next visit to California Café, be sure to stop in and say hello to Chef Scott.