Chef Raphael Lunetta

    Los Angeles Rising Star Chef Raphael Lunetta is one of the most talented and well-known chefs in Southern California. Opened on April 11, 1996, JiRaffe continues to be one of the most popular restaurants in Santa Monica, CA and Lunetta continues to soar as one of LA's premiere chefs and personalities.

    As well as for his work in the kitchen, Lunetta is known for his second passion... surfing, and has gained the title "the surfing chef" as he is often seen on Southern California beaches pursuing his passion and enjoying the ocean.

   Born in Santa Monica, Raphael grew up in a family where food became a focal point at a young age. Each summer his family would visit his aunt in the South of France. His aunt's country-French home was made of stone, built in the 1800s and located just two miles from the coast. There they would enjoy large family dinners in the outdoors: grilling fresh mackerel over open fires made with dried grapevines, eating calamari and using fresh herbs, olive oils and vegetables native to this fertile region. This setting and many of the foods he experienced throughout the summers are some of his fondest memories and where he began his love for light and simple French cooking.

    Prior to opening JiRaffe with his long time friend and fellow chef Josiah Citrin, Lunetta rose through the ranks of some of Los Angeles' finest kitchens including Jackson's in West Hollywood where he gained notoriety for his sophisticated style of cooking. He opened Jackson's as a co-chef and also cooked at other restaurants including under celebrity chef Joachim Splichal at Patina. The chef partnership with Citrin continued until 1999 when Lunetta became the sole owner of JiRaffe and Citrin moved on to open his own fine-dining restaurant just a few blocks away.

    Lunetta was named to the prestigious group of "Top Ten New Chefs" by Food and Wine Magazine (April 1997) and "Rising Stars – 1997" by Restaurant Hospitality Magazine (May 1997). Additionally, Lunetta is a favorite special guest chef on several shows at the national Food Network broadcast channel and has appeared as a guest chef at many locations throughout the world, including Hawaii, Orlando, New York City, Bali and Singapore, Sundance Resort, Utah and on Crystal Cruises. In May 2004 he was a guest chef of famed Chef Roy Yamaguchi at Roy's Restaurant in Maui third anniversary celebration.

    Additionally, Raphael conducts cooking classes and demonstrations throughout the world: at JiRaffe; Sur La Table in Santa Monica and Newport Beach; as a participant of Cuisines of the Sun in Hawaii; Aquavit restaurant with Celebrity Chef Marcus Samuelson; Four Seasons Resorts in Bali and Singapore; Hilton Hawaiian Village/Honolulu; and the James Beard House in New York City.

    Raphael is a true "favorite son/chef" in his hometown of Santa Monica and recently was named to the Santa Monica High School "Hall of Fame" for its outstanding alumni. He is married to television news personality Gabriella Teissier de Lunetta. They have two sons.

    In addition to JiRaffe, Lunetta is again partners with Chef Josiah Citrin with their casual community oriented restaurant Lemon Moon restaurant. Open weekdays for breakfast and lunch featuring contemporary American Cuisine, Lemon Moon is located on Olympic Boulevard in West LA and is the two chef's take on a New York-style eatery with a causal atmosphere and lots of places to sit, have coffee, take a break from the day or have a quick lunch inside or on the patio. Like a Tuscan market, the menu changes often and features many to-go items and vast catering opportunities. A second Lemon Moon restaurant is now open in FOX Plaza in Century City.

    Chris Minutoli is Chef de Cuisine at JiRaffe. Chris is a former chef associate and long time friend of Owner Raphael Lunetta and the duo has worked together in the past. Just prior to JiRaffe chef spent five years cooking for the de Rothchild family as well as at top London restaurants and with European masters Anton Mosimann and Marco Pierre White. Chris also worked at Chinois on Main and Wolfgang Puck's Granita in Malibu before moving to Europe. Chef Chris is a remarkable chef and true favorite of the customers and JiRaffe staff in overseeing the kitchen with Chef Raphael as well as planning and executing the creative and yummy weekly Monday Night Bistro menus.

    Heather Posner is General Manager of JiRaffe. She is also the chief wine buyer for the restaurant and is responsible for the many boutique vineyards represented on the JiRaffe wine list. Heather oversees all the service staff, restaurant ordering and maintenance and also the catering director for JiRaffe and responsible for all private parties and special events. Prior to joining JiRaffe Heather worked at several outstanding LA area restaurants and she is known for her calm and meticulous management style. She is a native a New York, a graduate of the University of Buffalo, and worked in the fashion industry in New York City prior to relocating to Los Angeles and beginning her career in restaurants.