meet us.
Co-Owner / Chef Kelly Briglio and Co-Owner / Wine Curator Tina Thayer
Ventura’s own since 2007.
I am Kelly, your dedicated chef
I come to life when I am cooking. I am driven by my love for food, wine and bringing people together. I am addicted to creating seasonal dishes from what the land is offering.
I believe in the people behind the food — the fisherman bringing a fresh haul, the local vegetable farmers, the ranchers that raise the pigs and cows, the beekeepers harvesting our local honey, the cheesemongers, the winemakers, the local chocolate artisans and boutique coffee roasters.
I am fiercely loyal to my local farms and believe in representing them with the respect and thoughtfulness that their bounty deserves.
I am Tina, your wine curator.
My business education was forged in school and the restaurant business. Wine came along for the ride!
Then, my love of great food and delicious wines introduced me to the very talented Chef Kelly. A great idea and kind friendship led us to build a business that would showcase amazing food and our shared values for fresh, organic, delicious foods and wines. The work of being the "front of the house" and mingling with our guests thrills me each day.
As your Wine Curator, I created the Weekly Wine Flights and Wine Club designed to keep you enjoying our bar and wine store. I love wine. I love cheese. I love this place we created.
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our staff & family
CK Gardner
Our Cheese Counter & Artisan Market Manager.
"We're more than a restaurant. The attitude is a family run business with a lot of love and it shows in the food and in the employees."
"Red"
Our Sous Chef.
"I have a sense of pride working here. The level of quality we produce with hand selected ingredients is unmatched."
Leslie Arnett
Our Baker.
"I'm obsessed with bread and all foods fermented; wine, cheese, bread - it's kinda the theme around here. I created my own sourdough starter with organic black berries. It's the perfect canvas for all our delicious food."
Michelle Jones
One of our Servers.
I recently moved to Ventura and the Pantry has become a second home. The fresh farm ingredients lured me in and amazing staff and friendly customers welcomed me to stay.
Elizabeth Luna
One of our Kitchen Crew.
What I love about working at Paradise is the quality of all our food. Everything we do is to perfection. I also love everyone of my co-workers. They give this place life and always bring a smile to my face. We are one big family.
our extended family of vendors
Nathalie Bertat
French Wine Importer
Born in Dijon and growing up between the Beaujolais and the Rhone regions, Nathalie studied to be an English teacher. Though she was surrounded by some of the best wine and food regions in France, she confesses that her family didn’t care much about wine, except for her father. After working in the entertainment industry for several years, she enrolled in the International Sommelier Guild with the intention of opening a wine bar and discovered her love for wine. Her studies then shifted to importing and distributing and she founded Cru Wines, LLC in 2006. Her father was a great help in making a pre-selection of 500 classic French wines and Nathalie narrowed her choices to 20 wines for her first container. Today, she sells around 100 wines from most French regions and services restaurants, hotels, wine bars and retail stores throughout Southern California.
Edgar Torres
Winemaker, Bodega de Edgar.
My wine journey started as a waiter in Paso Robles. There I was exposed to many great wine producers. Several became friends and eventually opened their doors to my learning desires. My enthusiasm for producing great wines brought me and my wife to the development of our own brand, Bodega de Edgar, in 2007.
Big Picture Farms
The Big Picture Farms Team, ranging from six to twelve people depending on the season, take on a variety of critical roles on the farm, in the creamery, and in the shop. Laura Kamyk runs our shop, Jessie Chickering & Grace Mooney head up the farm and creamery and Katelyn Vonfeldt managing the homestead, the airbnb and the baby.
Farmstead cheese was what inspired Big Picture Farms to begin farming in the first place. And it remains an integral part of their work and identity. Made with their own raw delicious milk once or twice per week from April through September, their cheese does the best to reflect the true beauty of their goat's milk.
Viktor Budnik
Our Photographer
"My passion is all about the food, the local ingredients, and the people at Paradise Pantry. They make the gorgeous shots easy."
Small Vineyards
A Local Wine Supplier Group
"Every bottle is hand-harvested, earth-friendly, and from a family-owned estate. By importing these wines, we are helping to protect unique grape varietals, local winemaking styles, and preserve a special way of life."
Ken Ballou
Tri-Tip Chef
The best Tri-Tip. Ever. Thinly sliced and piled on sourdough, Ken's marinated tri-tip is one of Chef Kel's favorite ingredients. Our Artisan Market also carries Ken's delicious BBQ sauce - that is when it isn't flying off the shelves.
Jake Krausz
Arkenstone Vineyard, Estate Director
Jake, the Estate Director, Brand Ambassador, and son of Arkenstone Vineyard owners, was raised in the vineyard. He achieved master sommelier certification and now leads the vineyard by sharing its wines with the world.
Rachel & Crystal
Teamotions Organic Teas
Teamotions blends are special wellness teas for emotional well-being. Each tea is created to have a unique emotional benefit to help nourish your mind, body, and soul. “We use only whole leaf tea, whole herbs and botanicals, and all natural organic flavorings.”
Drew Daigle
Mail Road Wines
Mail Road is a commitment to place. We strive to produce wines of uncompromising excellence and distinction. Impossible-to-forget wines that reveal the passion and uncompromising craft that went into their creation.
Johnny Fonteyn
Rio Gozo Farm
Rio Gozo Farm provides high quality organic produce to restaurants within the Ventura watershed. We grow herbs, flowers, and vegetables on our scenic eight-acre farm located at the beautiful campus of Besant Hill School in Ojai.
Chris Sayer
Petty Ranch
For over 7 years Petty Ranch has been a Paradise Pantry staple. Some of our customer’s most beloved seasonal specials come from the fruits of this cherished local family farm. Their continued hands-on care and quality catapults Chef Kelly’s dishes - including the stuffed figs in the fall and the persimmon salad in fall and winter - from fab to fabulous.
La Quercia
Raised by Iberian Pastures
Iberian pigs roam freely over acres of fields and woods in Georgia. They forage on pecans and peanuts, and are raised in accordance with Certified Humane standards, with no use of antibiotics or GMO feed.
Kent Humphrey
Eric Kent Wines
There are certain people and places that take you all the way back to your roots. Tina, Kelly and Paradise Pantry do that for me. They were among the very first to celebrate Eric Kent with us and share our wines with the world. Coming here will always feel a bit like coming home. I can’t wait to see everyone!
Joana Maçanita
Maçanita Vinhos, Portugal
Joana Maçanita is a winemaker dedicated the resurgence of obscure grapes, protecting the legacy of old vines and historically preferred field blends. She creates wines that showcase a sense of place and a proudness of heritage.
Charlie Morrison
Jardesca California Aperitiva
Jardesca was created to be a light, delicious and quintessentially Californian alternative to European aperitifs. Jardesca California Aperitiva is made in Sonoma and marries the vineyard and garden in a blend of artisanal California wines, enlivened with botanicals.
Leah Coles
Ojai Vineyard
We met Leah Coles when we purchased her incredible wine store (Paradise Wines) before she went on to become a wine representative with Ojai Vineyard.
Brandon Sparks-Gillis
Dragonette Cellars
Brothers John and Steve Dragonette and close friend Brandon Sparks-Gillis founded Dragonette Cellars in 2005. Their shared passion for great wine brought them to wild, windy and remote northern Santa Barbara County where they spent the next several years seeking out extraordinary, cool-climate vineyards and dedicating themselves to careful, patient, minimalist winemaking.
Josh Klapper
Timbre Wines
Kindred spirits in the food and wine world are few and far between, but from the first time I met these two trailblazers, Tina and Kelly, in the Ventura County food and wine scene I knew there was a connection. Their pursuit of quality and support of the local farmers, ranchers, and artisan cheese makers (and of course wineries) has made for a great source of inspiration and friendship. Stoked to collaborate again and again!
Daniel Sinton
Avenales Ranch
For over 140 years the Sinton family has run the Avenales and Canyon Ranch with the dedication of preserving and protecting the land and the plants and animals that call it home. Focused on sustainably running cattle for a grassfed beef program forever, we recently placed a conservation easement on the property with the California Rangeland Trust which will protect the land in perpetuity.
Avenales Ranch Wine has been producing a small lot Old Vine Petite Sirah since 2007. In our short history, we’ve collected many awards.
Big Spoon Roasters
Big Spoon Roasters makes handcrafted nut butters and snack bars from scratch in Durham, North Carolina. Their world-class ingredients are sourced directly from local and like-minded producers who share our dedication to authentic quality and sustainability. Their promise: To make the most delicious foods possible without compromise, setting the highest standards for integrity, flavor, and freshness in the process.
The Jolly Oyster
Local Clams and Oyster Farm.
"Our vision is simple: To bring out the Joy in Life. Our mission is: To farm outstanding quality shellfish, while benefiting the planet."
Kerby Zozula
Our resident wine educator, Kerby, is a Chemical Engineer that turned into a Sommelier. If he starts telling you how malolactic fermentation creates diacetyl in Chardonnay, run away as fast as you can! :) A family of foodies fueled his passion for food and wine. His favorites are Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and Champagne.
Snake River Beef
Snake River Farms is celebrated world-wide by chefs and connoisseurs. Their family-owned business is focused on creating the most delicious beef and Kurobuta pork available.
Presqu’ile Vineyard
Located in the heart of Santa Barbara County’s singular Santa Maria Valley, Presqu’ile (pronounced press-KEEL) is a small, family-run winery dedicated to making exceptional cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Designed and planted to create a diverse tapestry of vineyard blocks, the sustainably certified, 73-acre vineyard has earned acclaim for their elegance and balance.
Ocean Pride Seafood
Owner, Tom Moore opened Ocean Pride Seafood in the spring of 1996, as a wholesale fish market. In 1996, with a vision of creating Ventura’s finest seafood market, he opened his doors to the public. His early training gives him extensive knowledge and passion for perfection.
Jasper Hill Farm
Dairy Farm & Cheese Cellar.
Paradise Pantry is proud to work with this artisan cheese company who promotes a regional taste of place.
we love our vendors
All Italia
Agostinos Commercial Bakery
Beacon Coffee
Beato Chocolate
Beylik Family Farm
Big Fork
Big Picture Farms
Big Spoon Roasters
Black Sheep Foods
Casitas Valley Growers
Chaparral Gardens
Claremont Farms
Erik Hodges Commercial Fisherman
Etto Pasta
Fishy Wife
Formosa Hot Sauce
Friends of Cheese
Girl Meets Dirt
Heavenly Honey
Lemon Bird Jams
Night Owl Woodworkings
Ocean Pride Seafood
Ojai Jelly
Petty Ranch
Potters Crackers
Rio Gozo Farm
Rustic Bakers
Santa Barbara Chocolate Co.
Tony Pako
Twenty-four Blackbirds Chocolate
Underwood Family Farm
Venturas Farmers Market
Wackyms