Jesse Ziff Cool

"Rocket Vodka captures so much of what I believe in – pure ingredients (apples), great craftsmanship, a clean, smooth finish that’s as welcome at my table or bar as a good friend.” - Jesse Ziff Cool

Owner of Flea Street.

A food, community, and sustainability activist. Jesse has operated restaurants for 5 decades including Late for the Train, JZCool Eatery, The Cool Café at Stanford.

She currently operates Flea Street in Menlo Park that will have a 45th Anniversary on August 28, 2025.

As an educator for Stanford University, she built a curriculum, Seeds of Change, for Master of Education Students, connecting the garden to the table. Jesse has written for newspapers, magazines, and authored seven cookbooks.

Her career as a restaurateur, spokesperson, and consultant for healthy food as medicine at hospitals supports old world values that food is both delicious and healing for people and the planet.

Along with eating and drinking, she loves her home garden, spending time with family and friends. She loves long hikes . . which basically allows her to devour more of all that she loves in life, namely…great company, delicious food and a cocktail every night.

Guillaume Bienaime

Owner of BarZola, Vino Vino Wine, and The Pro.

Worked in restaurants since he was 15. Spent the last decade refining his concept at Zola, adding a world class bar and growing sales to $3.5M.

Fresh off a Food Network victory on Alex vs. America, continuing to expand bar-driven restaurants.

David Stec

Director of Wine & Spirits at Simone International.

An executive in wine and spirits industry, with deep sales and distribution experience, expertise, and relationships from industry-leading companies such as Kohler, Johnson Brothers, Prestige Beverage Group, Breakthru Beverage Group, Empire Merchants, Gallo Wine.