Linda Troy, one of Stefen’s regular dinner guests, keeps coming back for more. “This is my third Stefen dinner, and every one has been very delicious and presentation is always gorgeous! With his dinners, you become a guest in your own house - it’s great!”

As Julie chimed a wine glass to signal the final dessert course, Stefen declared, “You’re rock stars! You plowed through that course!” Then he sends out the chocolate cake.

As dessert wrapped up, guests applauded the chef, full of thanks and satisfaction. “It was like eating at the French Laundry [in Napa Valley], but in someone’s home,” said dinner participant, Kathleen Doty. The stimulating conversation and the classy atmosphere really did support a restaurant ambience, but in such a more intimate way.

Stefen agreed, saying, “Davis has a lot of great restaurants but I felt there was still a niche for a refined food experience. It’s relaxed, people let loose and have fun. It’s the best of both worlds.”

While this event was a fundraiser for Susan, most Kitchen Kriminal events are not entirely made up of good friends. “We bring people and the host brings people - a common meeting ground for people to meet new people. Everyone really likes that. At first they just want to have all their friends, but often