Executive Chef Kathleen Wise Exits Starlite To Launch Meal Service

This Saturday, July 2 will be the last Starlite dinner service led by executive chef Kathleen Wise. Wise, who helped open the restaurant as its sous chef back in 2007, was promoted to executive chef in 2012.

The India Street stunner, owned by Tim Mays and Matt Hoyt, was one of the first local spots to pair up the combination of craft cocktails and seasonal plates. Wise, who cooked at Hillcrest's foundational farm-to-table eatery Region before joining Starlite, is a proficient sausage and charcuterie maker, and an avid gardener. The chef, who raises chicken and turkeys at her Logan Heights, is also a partner with Kate MacWilliamson in the Our House pop-dinners held in Golden Hill. She leaves Starlite to focus on her meal delivery service, called Eat My Box by Rustic as Cluck, which features home grown and locally-sourced produce-driven meals for two, for $25, that include homemade bread, salad, entree and dessert. Wise told Eater that she's planning on expanding her delivery schedule to weekends as well as adding special featured meals, from date night boxes to meal kits that include wine.

In an email to its patrons, Starlite announced that sous chef Amanda Michels, who has been with the restaurant for eight years, will be stepping into the head chef position.