Ben Spungin Biography

The Pastry Chef of Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley, California, is Ben Spungin. Ben has been collaborating with Chef Cal Stamenov for the past five years on pastry creations that complement Stamenov's unique California natural food. Ben began his culinary career at the age of sixteen, working at the famed Fosters Market in Durham, North Carolina. Ben's goals and objectives were founded on this experience of "basic harvest food." Ben earned his associate's degree in 1996 from the New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier, Vermont. Ben had his school internship at the Magnolia Grill in Durham, where he worked with James Beard Award winners Ben and Karen Barker. After graduating from high school in 1998, a chance arose to work at the French Laundry under Pastry Chef Stephen Durfee and Pastry Sous Shuna Lydon. Ben's eyes were opened to the unlimited possibilities of the pastry world as a result of this journey. Ben joined the Pastry Chef post at the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur two years later, inspired by the ocean and the microclimates around the Monterey Peninsula, and rapidly developed a passion for wild and foraged materials. Ben started as the Pastry Chef at the Bernardus Lodge in 2005, working under Chef Cal Stamenov. Chef Cal, a former pastry chef, and Ben work together because of their shared enthusiasm for high-quality food. Chef Cal's relationships with local foragers and farmers keep an ever-changing cuisine alive in the kitchen, allowing Ben to innovate without constraints. Ben has taken part in a variety of philanthropic events, including the American Wine and Food Festival in Los Angeles, the National Truffle Fest in Asheville, North Carolina, and the Chanterelle Festival in Big Sur. Ben and his wife reside on the Big Sur coast with their two gorgeous daughters. Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley, California, is the Monterey Peninsula's top boutique vacation resort. Bernardus Lodge was awarded the Forbes (Mobil) Four Star rating in 2010 and the AAA Four Diamond award in 2011, as well as recognition from the distinguished readers of Conde Nast's "Gold List" and Travel and Leisure's "Top Hotels." The Bernardus Lodge is a member of the Leading Small Hotels of the World and an American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts Program partner.

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