Alan Unterman

Born in 1957 in Austin, Texas, Reed Hearon is an American chef, author, and entrepreneur. He pursued studies in mathematics and philosophy at the University of Chicago and the University of Texas at Austin. Hearon's culinary career began with roles in notable restaurants such as The Avenue in Austin and Coyote Café in Santa Fe. He later relocated to San Francisco, where he became a significant figure in the city's dining scene, particularly during the 1990s. Hearon is recognized for his expertise in French, regional Mexican, and Ligurian cuisines.

Throughout his career, Hearon established and co-founded several businesses. He was involved in restaurant investment through Nice Ventures, founded a food industry consultancy named Hearon Designs, and launched a wine software company called Purevin. His restaurant ventures in San Francisco included establishments like LuLu, Rose Pistola, Rose's Cafe, Cafe Marimba, and the Black Cat. Hearon's contributions to the culinary world have been acknowledged with awards, including recognition from Julia Child and Food & Wine magazine, and his former restaurant Rose Pistola received a James Beard Foundation Award.

Reed Hearon established himself as a prominent restaurateur in San Francisco during the 1990s, a period marked by the dot-com boom. He opened several influential establishments that significantly shaped the city's culinary landscape. Among these were LuLu, celebrated by the San Francisco Chronicle for its pioneering use of communal tables, family-style service, and a central wood-fired oven, and Rose Pistola, which garnered the James Beard Foundation Award for Best New Restaurant in 1997. Hearon's culinary focus encompassed French, regional Mexican, and Ligurian cooking styles. His early career included work at restaurants like The Avenue in Austin and Coyote Café in Santa Fe, before he moved to San Francisco in 1988 to manage the Corona Bar and Grill.

Beyond his work in individual restaurants, Reed Hearon has demonstrated a multifaceted entrepreneurial spirit within the food and beverage industry. Since 1993, he has been a co-founder of Nice Ventures, a firm dedicated to restaurant investment. In 2001, he established Hearon Designs, a consultancy focused on providing expertise to the food industry. Further diversifying his business interests, Hearon founded Purevin in 2011, a software company specializing in wine-related technologies. These ventures highlight his broader engagement with the business aspects of the culinary world, extending beyond direct restaurant operations.

Reed Hearon has authored or co-authored several cookbooks that explore various culinary traditions. His published works include "Salsa" (1993), "LA Parilla: The Mexican Grill" (1996), "Bocaditos: The Little Dishes of Mexico" (1997), and "The Rose Pistola Cookbook: 140 Italian Recipes from San Francisco's Favorite North Beach Restaurant" (1999). These publications reflect his engagement with Mexican and Italian cuisines, particularly those found in San Francisco. Additionally, Hearon made an appearance on the television series "Julia Child: Lessons with Master Chefs," underscoring his recognition within the culinary community.