“Everybody knows that Oakland is one of the most-watched cities as it relates to culinary innovation. We’re going to be working on how to make people feel more comfortable coming out.” – Andrew Freeman, af&co.
LUIGI DI RUOCCO JOINS FELLOW OAKLAND RESTAURATEURS TO PROMOTE THE TOWN
Earlier this fall, Luigi Di Ruocco helped found the Oakland Restaurant Collective along with fellow business owners Chef Nelson German, Andrew Freeman of af&co., and Parche owner Paul Iglesias. The kickoff event was hosted by Chef Nelson at his Afro-Latin bar & restaurant, Sobre Mesa, in Uptown Oakland. It brought together restaurateurs and changemakers across Oakland to celebrate and uplift The Town’s restaurant community.
During the course of the evening, representatives from Visit Oakland, the Oakland Chamber of Commerce and many others shared their vision for the city’s future, united by a common commitment to showcase Oakland as a culinary destination that is best enjoyed in person. The ultimate goal was to form a powerful collective that supports Oakland restaurants and draws more attention to The Town’s incredible culinary community.
The collective quickly captured the attention of local media, with articles in the East Bay Express and East Bay Nosh and a broadcast segment on KPIX:
- East Bay Express: Saving Our Dining Scene
- East Bay Nosh: Can Better Marketing Save Oakland Restaurants?
- KPIX-TV: “Oakland restaurants band together in collective to discourage crime, promote business”
We’re incredibly grateful to the Chamber of Commerce, Visit Oakland and The Town Experience for their help. Word has spread quickly, and the collective continues to gain momentum. If you’re an Oakland restaurateur, we encourage you to get involved here.