Eat These Fish! LA – A Celebration of Groundfish Recovery at Preux & Proper

At my restaurant Preux & Proper, I had the honor of curating and hosting Eat These Fish! LA—a multi-chef dinner that brought together culinary leaders, scientists, and advocates to celebrate one of the greatest comeback stories in U.S. fisheries: the recovery of California groundfish.

In collaboration with the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Environmental Defense Fund, this event spotlighted the power of science-based management under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which transformed once-overfished species into thriving, fishable stocks. Each course was built around a different member of this diverse ecosystem—showcasing species like vermilion rockfish, Dover sole, and blackgill—and the stories behind their resurgence.

I was proud to cook alongside an incredible lineup of chef collaborators, including Mary Sue Milliken, David LeFevre, Elia Aboumrad, and Michael Cimarusti—each preparing dishes that honored resilience, biodiversity, and the fishers who make our food system possible.

The evening reminded us all that when chefs and scientists work together, change is possible. Through storytelling, cooking, and advocacy, we can uplift sustainability in ways that resonate far beyond the plate.