Show 254, December 30, 2017: Executive Chef Ross Pangilinan, Mix Mix Kitchen Bar, Santa Ana

Ross PangilinanYear anniversaries in the turbulent, fine-dining restaurant business are occasions to be celebrated. A salute to owner/Chef Ross Pangilinan (ex-Leatherby’s Café Rouge in the Segerstrom Center for The Arts in Costa Mesa) who just observed the 1st Anniversary of downtown Santa Ana’s Mix Mix Kitchen Bar.

When it comes to owning a restaurant, there’s no such thing as smooth sailing. That being said, it seems as though we’ve had something to celebrate since the day we first opened our doors,” comments Chef Ross Pangilinan who received a nomination for Chef of the Year at the 2017 Golden Foodie Awards. “I am honored by the support of the Orange County community, grateful for the dedication of my team, and could not be more excited to see what new celebrations Year 2 will bring.”

An Orange County native, Ross Pangilinan discovered his passion for cuisine at a young age. Adventurous dining experiences he shared with his father and cooking shows like Frugal Gourmet, have influenced his global palate and helped define his career as a chef.

After high school, Pangilinan enrolled at Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena. Excelling in his courses, he went on to work at various Southern California restaurants and in France for the two-Michelin-starred Les Trois Marche.

At the age of 21, Patina Restaurant Group recognized Pangilinan’s skills and offered him his first sous chef position at Pinot Provence in 2005. After two years, he returned to France to work in the Michelin-starred Regis restaurant where he strengthened his culinary technique and back of the house operations.

His sous chef position at the flagship Patina at the Walt Disney Concert Hall helped earn the restaurant its Michelin star in 2007. A year after various successes, including opening the modern Italian restaurant Sinatra within Encore at the Wynn in Las Vegas, Pangilinan returned to Patina Restaurant Group in 2009 as Executive Chef at Leatherby’s Café Rouge, where he led the culinary team for 7 years.

Now he proudly presents, Mix Mix, his global dining concept exemplifying the techniques and traditions formed throughout his culinary journey.

It’s Dinner nightly and Sunday Brunch (think Shrimp Lumpia & other delights) from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Closed on Monday.

Chef Ross pops out of his open kitchen for a welcome chat.