Former A.R. Valentien Chef Heads To Coronado

Tim "TK" Kolanko, an anchor in the kitchen at A.R. Valentien since The Lodge at Torrey Pines' opening in 2002, has taken a post as the corporate consulting chef for Blue Bridge Hospitality (formerly NadoLife), whose roster includes the Coronado-based Leroy's Kitchen + Lounge, Lil' Piggy's Bar-B-Q, Village Pizzarias and the MooTime Creameries. Kolanko was A.R. Valentien's chef de cuisine until departing last year to become the general manager of The Fishery in PB.

Blue Bridge head David Spatafore tapped Kolanko to help oversee the restaurant group, which includes assisting Leroy's new exec chef JC Colón with his transition and adding new vegetarian and local seafood options to their existing eateries. Spatafore is also developing a new concept in Coronado that'll open by the end of the year and exploring possible locations on this side of the bridge.

Kolanko will also use his talents to create an urban garden next to Blue Bridge's commissary kitchen near the San Diego Public Market; the produce grown will help to supply the restaurants in the group.
· Blue Bridge Hospitality (NadoLife) [Official Site]
· All Chef Shuffles on Eater [~ESD~]