#111 Spreading the Word: Food Creates Memories - Sandra Arnerich, Renata PDX

Chef at two trailblazing establishments, Renata Wood Fired Italian Restaurant and Nourish Mindful Meals, Sandra Arnerich is an amazing juggler of fine cuisines. Sandra’s journey started about as early as it can be done; she was, in her words, “…born a chef”. After a couple of years in a Texas school, she realized food was both her passion and her life’s dream and enrolled in culinary school in Canada. Her choice turned out to be a game changer. One day in class, the teacher gave everyone a library card to check out cookbooks. Not really knowing the restaurant scene of the world, Sandra picked up a cookbook from the world-famous The French Laundry in Nappa, California. She couldn’t put it down. Sandra went straight to her teacher and said she wanted an internship there, which was a huge ask considering it meant an international challenge. However, the school gave it a try and lo and behold, she landed it! As an intern Sandra became enthralled with the art of fresh ingredients and sourcing to create optimum dishes. The French Laundry has its own orchard and garden from which many of its dishes are created. As a real bonus, Sandra also met her husband there and the team worked successfully in restaurants around the Bay Area for some years. However, with two children now in the family, they decided to move to her husband’s home town, Portland, Oregon. Her husband’s family showed them the restaurant scene in Portland so the couple had a very clear idea of what they wanted to open. They felt Portland had great food but they wanted to integrate all that a great restaurant could be; a great wine list, cocktail list, impeccable service and great food. It was that detail-orientation the couple learned from The French Laundry that they wanted to bring to the area. And so the birth of Renata, wood fired Italian fare, including exceptional pizzas, pastas and meats. Their cocktail menu will drive you wild if you’re a cocktail lover like me. Currently, they’re only open Thursday through Saturday and if you look at their reservation list, they are booked. But don’t despair; if you love their pizza you can pick up their frozen pizzas at select grocery stores, including Market of Choice, one of this show’s sponsors. This endeavor has meant developing the strong partnerships with local farmers, partnerships that were tested during COVID and have stayed in tact. Sandra and her husband’s other venture, Nourish, started with, oddly enough, Sandra’s husband’s back surgery. While recovering and going through his rehabilitation, he found a trainer/coach who had a meal prep program that included a shopping list and recipes. However, the trainer’s big dream was to be able to deliver those nutritious and delicious meals to her clientele and more. So, one person’s dream meets those who can enable that dream and another great business idea was born. The challenge to put together both nutrition with caloric values plus great taste was exactly in Sandra’s wheelhouse and she went to work. Now her circle is complete and strong. She knows that food brings people together, forms fond memories and good, nutritious food is the most important thing people can do for their health. But to really, really spread that philosophy, Sandra and her team know they can’t depend on one restaurant location and meal delivery. That’s why they have increased their distribution into grocery stores, beginning with frozen pizzas, so that everyone can take their hand-crafted wares into their own home.

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Producer: Sarah Marshall of The Joy of Creation Production House
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