Swoon Alert! S.F.'s Hottest Chefs Under 30
Photographed by Molly DeCoudreaux.
Name: Evan Bloom and Leo Bekerman
Age: 26 (Evan), 28 (Leo)
Restaurant: Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen
Single or taken?
“Single.”
What local chefs are you digging right now?
Leo: “Traci Des Jardins and Ian Marks. Traci has multiple restaurants, and has trained some of the best chefs around and remains extremely down to earth, involved in the community, and interested in new chefs and new concepts. Ian, of Beast and the Hare, is a charcutier extraordinaire. He has a great time making food and has one of the best ginger beards of all time.”
Evan: “Our neighbors at the Ferry Building, Hapa Ramen. The Monday night Hapen Ramen pop-up at Tartine has some of the most original and delicious food in the city. It manages to be comforting and soulful, while still being innovative and fresh. I’m very excited for their new space in the Fillmore.”
Who is your all-time (non-local) chef crush?
Evan: “Christina Tosi from Momofuku. I’m pretty smitten by what she does with classic junk-food sweets.”
What are your food-related deal breakers?
Leo: “Food is one of life’s simple—and sometimes not so simple—pleasures. I don’t mind restricted diets, but you have to enjoy sitting down to break bread and eatting it, of course.”
Evan: “Girls who don’t eat. If we go out on a date and you order a salad or pick at your plate like a bird, I’m not interested. Can you finish a burrito at 2 a.m. after drinking? Now we’re talking.”
What are your food-related turn-ons?
Leo: “That scene in Hot Shots when he made an egg on her stomach—gets me every time. Also, any girl that can braid a challah better than I can.”
Evan: “Pickled chilies. The morning after. On eggs.”
What is your ideal first-date spot?
Leo: “Your kitchen, because we’re making dinner together.”
Evan: “Limon Rotisserie. Sharing a roast chicken and a pitcher of sangria is a great way to get to know somebody. Just avoid a table in the basement at all costs. Also, next time you see me there don’t say “Hi.” I’m on a date!”
When you want to impress your date, what do you cook them?
Leo: “I let Evan play my personal chef.”
Evan: “These days, if it isn’t Jewish food, I’m probably not cooking it.”
Do you have any foodie-groupie horror stories?
Evan: “Groupies? Does my mother count?”
in NYC