Philip Tessier, executive chef at St. Helena restaurant PRESS, talks about being the first American to make the podium at the prestigious Bocuse d'Or culinary competition held every two years, and about providing thousands of meals for victims of the pandemic and fires through the Feed Our Families program.
Andy Wilcox, Register
Philip Tessier had just been hired as executive chef by PRESS restaurant in St. Helena when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in early March.
He knew people were losing their jobs and ability to afford food, and he wanted to keep his employees working and the restaurant afloat, said Kristine Keefer, who nominated him for the Registerâs Heart of the Valley honors.