Born from a simple, unresolved problem
Designing food as a complete living system
From Kitchen to Connection
Our Story
Willow & Rye is an industry leading company that was born out of a simple but unresolved problem. Modern households were being asked to manage food without a system.
Families were juggling meal kits, grocery lists, events, nutrition advice and convenience products that promised ease but delivered more decisions. Catering showed up for special moments, and then disappeared.
We saw what was missing.
Willow & Rye began with chefs asking a different question: What if food in the home was designed the same way great kitchens are run as a complete operation?
Today, Willow & Rye exists to replace fragmented food services with a smarter, chef-led alternative that supports how people actually live, gather, and nourish themselves over time.
Our Approach
How We Work
WE LISTEN FIRST
Before anything else, we get to know your routines, preferences, nutritional priorities, and pain points. This step matters because this is how the system stays personal.
WE DESIGN AROUND REAL LIFE
Your kitchen should match your schedule, your household, and your standards. We design meals, pantry systems, and event planning that feel natural to maintain.
WE CHOOSE WITH PURPOSE
Ingredients, menus, and seasonal details are selected intentionally. Nothing is added for show. Everything has a reason to be there.
WE RUN THE SYSTEM CALMLY
Execution is steady and organized. The work happens quietly in the background so food feels supportive and not demanding. This is how consistency becomes sustainable.
To replace the fragmentation, chaos, and compromise of modern home food systems with calm, chef-led operations that integrate nutrition, sourcing, preparation, and service into a single, seamless experience.
Designing Calm in the Kitchen
Mission
Vision
A New Standard of Living
We envision a future where having a chef is not reserved for special occasions, but integrated into everyday life. A future where families and organizations experience food as a foundation, not a stress point.
The People Behind the Plates
Small, skilled, and intentionally present
Chef Gina
Founder / CEO / Executive Chef
Chef Gina is the architectural mind behind Willow & Rye. With decades of experience across professional kitchens and culinary operations, she designs the systems that govern how food functions in a household or organization.
Her approach is grounded, disciplined, and uncompromising. Nutrition, sourcing, kitchen flow, and execution are treated as a single structure and not separate tasks. Every engagement reflects her belief that food should support daily life quietly and consistently, without excess or shortcuts.
Chef Kaeleb
Founder / VP / CFO / Executive Chef
Kaeleb brings a unique blend of culinary artistry and business acumen to Willow & Rye. His background in sustainable sourcing and farm-to-table operations ensures every ingredient tells a story.
Nicholas Benitez
Sous Chef
Nicholas brings energy, precision, and a deep respect for technique to every kitchen he enters. His attention to detail and commitment to excellence make him an invaluable member of our culinary team.
Gabrielle Benitez
Baker
Gabrielle's artisan breads and pastries bring warmth and comfort to every table. Trained in traditional European baking methods, she creates moments of simple joy through her craft.
Stories from the Table
Experiences that build trust and connection
"Willow & Rye didn't just change how we eat — they changed how we live. The calm that comes from knowing every meal is handled, every ingredient is thoughtful, every plate is beautiful... it's given us back our evenings as a family."
Daniel R.
Pacific Palisades
"I've worked with personal chefs before. This is different. It's not about having someone cook for you — it's about having a complete food operation designed around your life. The difference is night and day."
Michael T.
Bel Air
"When we first met with Gina and Kaeleb, I expected a menu consultation. Instead, we talked about our mornings, our kids' schedules, how we entertain, what health goals mattered to us. They designed a system, not just meals."
Lauren K.
Malibu
"Our children have become more adventurous eaters, our dinner conversations have gotten longer, and the stress that used to build around meal planning has completely dissolved. This is what we didn't know we needed."
The Morrison Family
Santa Monica
"The attention to sourcing alone is remarkable. But what really sets them apart is how they've integrated themselves into the rhythm of our household. It's seamless, professional, and deeply personal all at once."
Sarah & James W.
Beverly Hills