Saddle Peak Lodge Head Chef to Step Down

Adam Horton is leaving his role as executive chef and co-worker Chris Kufek is poised to replace him.

  Adam Horton will be stepping down as executive chef at Saddle Peak Lodge, the restaurant’s owner announced on Wednedsay.

“Adam is going off on a six-week vacation to Thailand and when he returns to a small family restaurant which he will help develop,” said Ann Graham Ehringer in an e-mail. “At Raphaels he will have an opportunity to spread his culinary wings in ways that might not be fitting for Saddle Peak.”

Horton’s last day on the job will be Feb. 14, Ehringer said. Co-worker Chris Kufek has been selected to take over for him the day after.

Horton has an eight-year history with Saddle Peak, dating back to his days as an intern, Ehringer said. But there were periods when the 27-year-old chef pursued other opportunities.

Horton is a 2004 graduate of Le Cordon Bleu California in Pasadena, who apprenticed at Saddle Peak Lodge before moving to Europe to gain further training under some of the worlds most acclaimed chefs. Horton even worked with Chef Gordon Ramsayin London and had stints at Michelin starred restaurants Le Moulin de Mougins, La Palme d’Or, Taillevent and Troisgros.

He was once named one of Gayot’s Top 5 Rising Chefs.

Horton eventually returned to the Saddle Peak Lodge in 2006, and has served there since.

Replacing Horton in February will be Chris Kufek, who is currently Saddle Peak’s Chef d Cuisine, Ehringer said.

I love Saddle Peak Lodge. Let’s see what the new chef, Chris Kufek, will bring to the restaurant.