As the chief operating officer of San Diego-style Sombrero Mexican Food, Javier Correa Jr. has been managing all aspects of his family's business since his early 20s. After growing the Sombrero brand to 19 locations throughout San Diego, Corona and Yuma, Javier and his father, Javier Sr., recently launched the company's franchise program, with the first location opening this month in O'Fallon, Mo. 
The Naval Base in Coronado was recently announced as the 2012 winner of the Navy Captain F. Ney Memorial Awards for outstanding food service, in the ashore category.
Beginning Feb. 1, St. Germain's Bistro & Cafe in Encinitas is set to launch Lady Chef, a quarterly guest chef series featuring San Diego’s top female chefs.
Gayle Covner, New York City native and Blueprint Café founder, brings a synergy of culture and cuisine to Barrio Logan. Covner also runs In Good Taste, a thriving catering business.
Francesca Penoncelli briefly left BICE Ristorante last year to work in Peru but has recently returned as executive pastry chef and formaggiaio. Since her return, Penoncelli has completely revamped the Italian restaurant's dessert menu.
San Diego native Kaitlin Ramos has stepped up as the new executive chef at St. Germain's Café & Bistro in Encinitas. Ramos will oversee the restaurant’s breakfast, lunch and recently launched dinner service, as well as unveiling a new menu.
Danny Bannister is the chef de cuisine at the Hyatt Mission Bay's signature restaurant Red Marlin.
Ruben Valenzuela is the founder and music director of Bach Collegium San Diego and director of music and the organist at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Del Mar.
San Diego Opera recently announced the return of the fourth annual “Taste of Opera,” a series of events designed to offer an introduction to the 2012 season in informal and casual settings around creatively themed dinners and events.
Ted Gourvitz is the general manager at Fallbrook Winery. Since its inception in 1981, the winery has focused on creating wines from grapes that grow well in the local climate.
