Stepping into a renowned chef’s shoes wouldn’t be easy. If anyone can make a success of it, it is Jessica Roy. Chef Pascal Olhats recently retired from his long run as an Orange County restaurant owner. Roy, the talented chef de cuisine of two years at Café Jardin in Corona del Mar, has assumed ownership of the spot at Sherman Gardens and plans to open in July.
The new restaurant is dubbed Cultivar, a term used for plants selected for their desirable characteristics that are retained during propagation. The name reflects Roy’s appreciation of garden to table cuisine, dishes that showcase the tastes, textures, and appearances of just-picked edibles.