Restaurateur Munther Massarweh can’t remember not cooking. “My father owned a deli and small restaurant,” he says, “and I used to help him on the weekends when I was a young boy. I’ve always been interested in creating things with fresh foods.”
A Bay Area native and current Santa Rosa resident, Massarweh’s culinary résumé includes a stint as executive chef at Chicago’s Pump Room and founder of San Francisco’s Tin Pan Asian Bistro (“I’m currently thinking about bringing that concept to the North Bay,” he says.) For now, he and his partners are plenty busy with Novato’s Wildfox restaurant, Napa’s American Grill, the Scrumptious Occasions catering company, and plans for a new eatery in Ukiah.
Like many chefs, Massarweh seems to have a knack for blending disparate elements into a cohesive—and delightful—whole. Example: “I’ve been with my wife, Deirdre, for six years, and we have three girls, one each from previous relationships and one between us. Jacqueline is 11 years old and a great student who loves sports. Charlotte is also 11; she’s another great student and is on the cheerleading squad for the Petaluma Panthers. Finally, there’s little Julia, who’s 2 years old and loves to boss us around.”
How do you stay focused?
My wife is my rock, and without her, I wouldn’t be where I am today. My wife and kids support me no matter how crazy my schedule is, and being able to share our successes together as a family makes getting up every morning worth it.
If you were to be executed in the morning, what would be your last meal?
My last meal would be eggs Benedict with crispy truffled potatoes…simple.
Is it better to love or be loved? Why?
It’s better to love, because making people happy makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something meaningful.
What about your personality makes you a good chef?
My personality is very social and open, and that makes people enjoy my food more, because I’m receptive to all their comments.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I was an officer with the San Francisco police department for nine years at the same time I was apprenticing as a full-time chef. I finally decided to give up one career to further the other.
What do you consider the most important event in the history of the human race?
There are so many, but I’d have to say the most important is when slavery ended.
If you could enact one law not currently on the books, what would it be?
I would enact a law that everyone must play golf at least once a month as part of work.
What’s the worst service you ever had?
The worst service has always been at the DMV. I just accept the fact that some people don’t enjoy their work.
What simple thing do most Americans need to know about food that they don’t?
People need to realize that eating the right food combinations can alter their daily mood in a positive way.
If you could go back in time, what year would you visit?
I’d go back to 1983, my senior year in high school.
What was the biggest mistake you made starting out in business?
Starting out in business, the biggest mistake I made was trying to wear too many hats. It’s better to hire the right people with the right experience for the right job.
Describe your favorite pair of shoes.
Dr. Martens are comfortable. You can wear them for many occasions and they last.
What favorite hobbies or activities help you relax?
I’m an accomplished pilot and fly every chance I get, I’m also an avid golfer and a certified open ocean diver.
What’s the best advice you ever received? From whom?
An old waiter named Jerry Maroonie once advised me to always put myself in other people’s shoes before judging them. Not original advice, but still worth listening to.
Who is your favorite singer or band?
My favorite singer will always be Frank Sinatra. I like all his music. I have an old soul.
