After 30 years in the local restaurant biz, Santa Rosa Chef Josef Keller is hanging up his toque. A fixture in Railroad Square’s Hotel La Rose for the past 17 years, the eponymous Josef’s Restaurant is slated to close at the end of April 2010.
The pull of family, golf and gardening on the 7-days-a-week chef paired with a bump in rent proved to be the tipping point.
“I’ve been doing this in Santa Rosa for 30 years. I’m ready for some time to myself. It was a combination of not wanting another lease and it not being (financially) in my favor,” Keller, now 57, told BiteClub. “I feel like I’m graduating from college. Did you know what you wanted to do after you graduated? I didn’t.”
A longtime Santa Rosa resident, Keller plans to stay in the area after a 4-month sabbatical over the summer. Since 2003, he’s been a board member of the non-profit agency Becoming Independent and hopes to continue his work with the group post-restaurant. Keller ran La Province Restaurant from 1980 to 1992 and has been an active member of the local culinary scene, including stints at the SRJC, Redwood Empire Restaurant Association and as an adviser to the Sonoma County High School Culinary Arts Program.
The hotel has reportedly had some interest in the space, but so far there are no finalized plans for who will take over. Keller says he’s sure the hotel will continue to operate a restaurant, however. “They’ll find someone for this place,” he said.
“I’m excited and scared. It was a good run and I’m going to miss a lot of people. I appreciate so much what the community has done for me,” Keller said.
Stay tuned for details on a planned closing party in April.
You will be deeply missed by many as you can read above. We have always had GREAT FOOD at your place and are sorry to see you go. I do know how you feel as I’m slowely working less and less but I have my son who is keeping things going. We hope you will continue to come by and see us now that you will have more time. GOO LUCK !
Josef, You area fine chef and will be missed. I’m sure there will cooking in your future somewhere. From Swiss Lakewood to more Golf…Nothing wrong with that.
Best of Luck, Victoria & Pete
ps.see you at the club…:-)
Josef, You area fine chef and will be missed. I’m sure there will cooking in your future somewhere. From Swiss Lakewood to more Golf…Nothing wrong with that.
Best of Luck, Victoria & Pete
ps.see you at the club…:-)
Josef, You area fine chef and will be missed. I’m sure there will cooking in your future somewhere. From Swiss Lakewood to more Golf…Nothing wrong with that.
Best of Luck, Victoria & Pete
ps.see you at the club…:-)
First Narsis’s now this. Where is it going to end?
Sad to see Joseph go!
He supported local charities and provided a good dining experience for years.
In today’s climate of high insurance, employee costs, rising food and operational costs, it’s that fighting an uphill battle is not fun. If a seasoned professional finds obstacles to continuing a local business that requires a balancing act to run, we will see how the replacement at the hotel will fare.
Good luck, you will be missed!
When i was 16, i took some cooking lessons from Joseph, what an inspiration and good man. He will be missed.Thanks Joseph for your guidance and hard work. Steve from santa Rosa
Sad to see Josef’s go…Santa Rosa is losing another jewel. I will miss hearing chef Josef on the radio too!
Hi! I am a member of that old group of WWII pilots. I am also a native son of Sonoma County. I can only say that your food is among the top three that I have ever enjoyed in all my years (Only 88). I would also say that your luncheons here were outstanding and I could never understand how the price was so reasonsble. Thank you and good luck to you. William Fulwider
My wife and I took some cooking classes that Josef offered at La Provence—those classes were outstanding. What we learned from him is with us today and in practice whenever we prepare a meal. Thank you Josef.
My wife and I took some cooking classes that Josef offered at La Provence—those classes were outstanding. What we learned from him is with us today and in practice whenever we prepare a meal. Thank you Josef.
My wife and I took some cooking classes that Josef offered at La Provence—those classes were outstanding. What we learned from him is with us today and in practice whenever we prepare a meal. Thank you Josef.
Thank you Josef for many years of support at the restaurant hosting Becoming Independent special parties and meetings.
We also thank you for your continued support and service for SIX years on the BI Board of Directors. Your advice and leadership has been valuable and appreciated.
You are the best!
Totally not busting your chops, but Josef’s previous restaurant was La Provence (not La Province). I ate there once as a teenager before it burned to the ground!
Josef’s has provided the Railroad Square with a fine dining for years along with his community service~
His presence will be missed~
Thanks,
Sheana
Wonder if he’s bowing out because the economy is so bad and he’s not making it like he wants. That’s my take on it. I don’t think he wants to admit it. Lots of restaurants going under.
Aww that’s too bad, Josef’s is a quite a Railroad Square fixture. I’ve been to quite a few work-related dinners there and the food has always been great. My wife and I love to have a quiet drink at the bar from time to time as well. It sounds like Chef Keller has his hands full though, so congratulations on a great run and good luck with your future endeavors!