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dining food

A taste of California

Dining at Alisal Ranch

sea urchin and shrimp on ice

Seasonal, hearty cuisine

Ranch-style dining

Our chefs have a deep reverence for the region’s bounty and a commitment to timeless food made from seasonal ingredients. Whether you’re having a casual bite on the golf course, or a more formal dining experience in the Ranch Room, your meal will beautifully embrace the essence of California cuisine and the heartiness of Western ranch cooking. You’ll also love our special events and festivities like alfresco barbecues at the Rodeo. In other words, get ready for your palette to be delighted.

Meet the Culinary Team

Our talented, highly acclaimed culinary team comprises diverse chefs with unique skills and backgrounds.

Chef Erik Sandven
Executive Chef

As Executive Chef at Alisal Ranch, Chef Erik Sandven brings Alisal Ranch the best ingredients the state’s central coast has to offer, while creating a sense of place for the hotel’s guests and embracing the ranch’s rich history through an array of dining experiences, including summer rodeos, the multi-day BBQ Bootcamp, weddings, the California Ranch Cookouts held throughout the year, and more.

Sandven began his culinary career in 2011 as a line cook at RAYA at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, quickly climbing the ranks to become the hotel’s saucier, and then sous chef. Six years later, he went to another iconic Orange County luxury hotel, The Resort at Pelican Hill, as the sous chef in their restaurants Pelican Grill and Andrea, before being promoted to chef de cuisine at the Coliseum restaurant.

In 2021, Sandven was recruited by The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara to be their banquet chef, during which he oversaw all banquet culinary functions and operations, the Club Lounge, as well as the Obar Kitchen. In 2023, Sandven joined Alisal Ranch.

Outside of the kitchen, Sandven enjoys spending time with his wife, visiting the local farmer’s markets, and playing golf.

Dining at Alisal Ranch

Explore your options

Whether you’re in the mood for something simple, or you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion, our dining options are sure to delight. Please note that our menus change frequently, depending on seasonality and to highlight local products at their peak.

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Featured recipes

Bring a taste of Alisal Ranch to your home kitchen with these selected recipes from our chefs. Enjoy! 

close up view of smoked beef ribs
Smoked Beef Ribs

You will learn the tips and tricks for creating flavorful delicious ribs using Chef Endy’s recipe and the Big Green Egg.

bistro chocolate cake
Bistro Chocolate Cake

In this video you will get step-by-step directions for creating dessert perfection, using Big Green Egg cookers, quality ingredients and some time honored outdoor cooking methods.

shrimp on a grill
Shrimp Skewers — Alisal Style

You can almost taste the plump grilled shrimp and smoky sausage in this video.

black and blue bread pudding
Black & Blue Bread Pudding

Chef Gordon was recently at Alisal Ranch and demonstrated how outdoor Big Green Egg cookers can be used to make mouthwatering baked goods.