Spring 2024

CHEF TO THE STARS TAKES THE REINS AT MONTRIO BISTRO During the course of his career around the U.S., most notably at Pinecreek Cookhouse in Aspen, Colorado, Chef Kurt Boucher’s creations have graced the tables of countless celebrities from politicians (John Kerry, Al Gore) to actors (Robert DeNiro,Goldie Hawn) to musicians (Mariah Carey), to royalty (Prince Bandar bin Sultan) and culinary luminaries (Julia Child, Jacques Pepin). He appeared on “Iron Chef America” cooking against Bobby Flay. Now he’s putting his formidable kitchen skills to work at Monterey’s Montrio Bistro. He’s not new to town, however. “I’ve been executive chef at Santa Catalina School in Monterey, but I wanted to be in a restaurant again.” During his nine years there, he forged deep relationships with the finest Monterey Bay area providers and suppliers, allowing him to obtain the best ingredients that power his “farm to fresh scratch cooking” techniques. “When you start with great ingredients, you end up with something extraordinary,” he says. Chef Kurt immediately set about updating Montrio’s already stellar menu, enhancing some guest favorites and adding new dishes, such as his Bacon Encrusted Pork Chop that utilizes the exquisite bacon his Montrio predecessor Tony Baker produces.“Pork on pork…what could be better than that?” he says with a laugh. For more information, call 831/648-8880 or visit www.montrio.com. TOE TAPPING TAP TRUCK TAKES THE PARTY ANYWHERE This 1956 Chevrolet panel truck was once a business’s workhorse, perhaps a plumber’s vehicle or a grocery van. Now, it delivers fun. Tap Trucks USA was founded in 2016 in San Diego by two long-time buddies, one with a love for craft beers, the other for vintage American vehicles. Blending their passions, they now license 123 trucks across the nation. The idea: refit classic trucks with taps on the side that can dispense a variety of beverages (both alcoholic and non) for events of all kinds. Speech therapist Alexia Galakatos and her husband Rick DiGiacomo, an architectural designer, were chatting with a neighbor who told them they ran a Tap Truck in Southern California, and that the opportunity to purchase a truck and license was available in Monterey. The couple deliberated for a bit and decided to take the plunge. “It made sense,” DiGiacomo says, “We’re selling happiness.” Galakatos and DiGiacomo have added a unique spin on the concept. “Rick is a celebrity impersonator performing as an Elvis tribute artist for many years,” Galakatos says. It brings the party to a whole new level and it’s a suc- cessful recipe. “What we thought was going to be a fun weekend hobby has turned into a full-time gig,” DiGiacomo says. For more information about Tap Trucks USA, visit www.taptruckmonterey.com . 166 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 2 4 Rick DiGiacomo (sometimes known also as Elvis) along with his wife, Alexia Galakatos, are the owners of the peninsula’s only Tap Truck, a 1956 Chevrolet Panel Truck outfitted with beverage taps so they can bring the party to you. Photo: Kelli Uldall