Meet Craig and Anne Stoll

Craig

Craig Stoll is the chef-proprietor of Delfina, a nationally acclaimed Italian restaurant in San Francisco’s mission district. Craig has garnered a loyal following for preparing delicious, soulful Italian food with a commitment to local, seasonal ingredients. The flavors are focused and the preparations are simple. A New York native, Stoll has over 26 years experience in the restaurant industry.

Born into a food-obsessed family, Craig was exposed to a variety of restaurants, ingredients and cuisines early-on. In high school Stoll took after-school jobs as a busser, dishwasher and prep cook where he was smitten by the excitement of the restaurant world. Hooked by the sensual experience of cooking, the camaraderie in the kitchen and the instant gratification, cooking school was an obvious next choice.

After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, Craig received a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management at Florida International University in Miami. In 1988, he headed West to work in San Francisco. For the next few years he gained experience at Campton Place under Bradley Ogden, Postrio, under David and Annie Gingrass, and Splendido, under Christopher Majer.

The pivotal point of Stoll’s career came in 1992 when he was awarded a scholarship to attend the nascent ICIF cooking school in Torino, Italy. Daily cooking demonstrations by renowned Italian chefs and field trips to restaurants and artisan food producers exposed him to the best that Italy had to offer. His subsequent externship, working in the kitchen of Da Delfina, a one star Michelin ristorante in the heart of Tuscany changed his life and helped him to define his cooking style. Delfina is named in honor of this special place.

After his return from Italy, Stoll ran the kitchens of various restaurants, including Tutto Bene, Timo’s and Palio d’Asti where he continued to develop his repertoire and to hone his skills. In 1997 he became chef at the Frog and the Peach in Mill Valley, CA. There he met Anne Spencer, manager of the Depot Café, across the street. Shortly thereafter they began dating, and then laying plans to open a place of their own. (They married in May, 2000)

Eight years later, Delfina is busier than ever. Craig has embraced his role as “restaurateur”, thriving on the continuous challenges of running a flourishing business. He returns to Italy regularly. As “chef” he continues to hone his food, build his staff and develop his repertoire. And as “husband and father”, he continues to delight in the joys of what, for him, it’s really all about.

Anne

Anne Stoll is the co-owner and founder of Delfina Restaurant, a nationally acclaimed Italian restaurant in San Francisco’s Mission district. In her role as proprietor, Anne fills Delfina with the animation and spirit that makes dining there a special experience. Her warmth and boundless energy infect the staff who in turn imbue Delfina with a joyous sense of life.

Anne began her career waiting tables at a Philadelphia pub when she was sixteen years old. She was hooked instantly. After high school, she enrolled in the Hotel Restaurant program at Pennsylvania State University and spent her summer vacations working at the Jersey Shore selling pretzels, lemonade and burgers. After graduation, Anne began work as assistant manager at Bogart’s Restaurant in Philadelphia. There she met chef Jack McDavid who saw her potential and brought her on as a manager when he left to open Down Home Diner in 1988. Anne’s skills developed quickly working under Jack’s tutelage. Two years later she was instrumental in the opening of McDavid’s next venture, Jack’s Firehouse where Anne was involved with every aspect of operations-from hiring waitstaff to washing dishes.

In 1990, Anne moved to San Francisco, eager to continue her career in one of the world’s most exciting restaurant cities. Her first job was at Joyce Goldstein’s Square One, a restaurant that helped define the city's food scene at the time. She also interned under Wilfred Wong at Ashbury Market to expand her knowledge of wine.

From there, Anne landed a coveted spot as part of the opening team of Harry Denton’s. This proved to be one of the most pivotal jobs of her career. There, she worked with colleagues who would go on to run some of the city's most prestigious restaurants. Anne honed her skills in the high pressure environment which functioned as both a restaurant and nightclub. During her tenure, Anne hired and trained staff who, are now among the top in the business.

Following Harry Denton’s, Anne ran the door for two years at Moose’s in North Beach. At this high-profile restaurant, she continued to cultivate a devoted following.

In 1996 Anne moved to Mill Valley to manage The Depot Café where she was instrumental in its redesign and re-launch. While in Mill Valley, Anne met Craig Stoll, the chef of the Frog and the Peach, a small restaurant across the street. The two began dating and immediately recognized their shared passion for the restaurant business. Soon after, they left their jobs to pursue their dream of opening a restaurant of their own.

Delfina opened in November of 1998.

Anne and Craig married in 2000 and had their daughter, Lucy Rose in 2002. The couple resides in San Francisco where Delfina continues to pull-in the crowds.