Chef Dustin Valette

Chef Dustin Valette's culinary roots run deep in Healdsburg, where his great-grandfather Honoré once ran a bakery over a century ago. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park, he crafted his own stagiaire program through San Francisco's top kitchens, including Charles Nob Hill, La Folie, Gary Danko, and Aqua. He trained at Thomas Keller's one-Michelin-star Bouchon in Napa Valley and the five-star Hokus at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Honolulu, eventually returning to Michelin-starred Aqua as executive sous chef under Laurent Manrique.

After executive chef roles at VOX Restaurant in Henderson, Nevada and six years at Dry Creek Kitchen in Healdsburg, Chef Valette opened Valette restaurant in 2015 with his brother Aaron Garzini in their great-grandfather's former bakery building. In 2021, he opened The Matheson and Roof 106 with partner Craig Ramsey. Both restaurants earned Michelin recognition and Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence. As a Chef-Vintner, Dustin founded Valette Wines in collaboration with acclaimed winemakers Jesse Katz, Bob Cabral, David Ramey, Tom Rochioli, and Michael Browne. His 2021 and 2022 Cabernet Sauvignons earned perfect 100-point scores. Chef Valette is the chef de cuisine for the 2026 Naples Winter Wine Festival.