Matt Cross Tap Takeover Episode
Ash Management owns and operates many, many restaurants and bars across the Central Coast, including the Frog & Peach Pub, Mother’s Tavern, Shell Beach Brewhouse, Rooster Creek Tavern, Mason Bar & Kitchen, Creaky Tiki, Milestone Tavern, and Bull’s Tavern. In fact, Bull’s Tavern is where it all began for Ash Management owner Billy Hale, who started as a janitor there while studying at Cal Poly University in the 80s. Billy leans on two critical people to keep the Ash Management properties on point: Jason Gable and Eric DeMatteo. These two are sort of the yin and yang of management, Jason focusing on the back of house and Eric focusing on the front of house. The two of them sat down with me and Matt to talk about their humble beginnings, how they’re raising a generation of employees, and how Californians are different from East Coasters.
*Note: Ash Management owns too many properties to list — besides, that list keeps changing! Here, I’ll list the main spots we chat about in the episode.
Shell Beach Brewhouse / @shellbeachbrewhouse
Rooster Creek Tavern / @roostercreektavern
Mason Bar + Kitchen / @masonbarandkitchen
Central Coast Meat Market & BBQ / @centralcoastmeatmarket
David Walker, co-founder, Firestone-Walker Brewing Co, Buellton + Paso Robles
Sarah Deiter, creative and owner, Makers & Allies, SLO
Antonio Diaz, filmmaker and publisher, The Migrant Kitchen and Life & Thyme Magazine, Los Angeles
Captain Mark Tognazzini, fisherman and restaurateur, Morro Bay
Father Ian Delinger, priest, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, and food journalist, KCBX, San Luis Obispo
Golzar Barrera, chef and caterer, All Purpose Flower, Solvang
Gray Hartley + Frank Ostini, winemaker and restaurateur, Hartley-Ostini Wines, Hitching Post II, Buellton
Jacob + Brooke Town, restaurateurs, The Spoon Trade + Grover Beach Sourdough, Grover Beach
Megan + Jeremy Raff, farmers, Dare 2 Dream Farms, Lompoc
Robin Wolf, mixologist, The Hatch Bar + Restaurant, Paso Robles
Sandi Sigurdson, community leader and recovering alcoholic, SLO
Brian Collins, chef and owner, Ember, Arroyo Grande
Alberto + Gessica Russo, chef and owners, Flour House, SLO
Matt Kettmann, Central Coast Editor, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Santa Barbara
Libby Parker, registered dietitian and eating disorder specialist, Not Your Average Nutritionist, SLO
Trevor Peterson, distiller and owner, Bixby Gin, Lloyd Distillery, SLO
Zack Andrade, farmer and owner, Spinaca Farms, Gilroy
Sheila Spector, home baker and food blogger, Dinner at Sheila’s, SLO
James Sparks, winemaker and owner, Kings Carey Wine, Santa Ynez
Hayley Cain, food writer and punk rocker, SLO
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