Finish Line Moments: James Beard Semifinalist & Michelin Chef Ari Weiswasser on Running Life’s Finish Lines

Chef Ari Weiswasser is a James Beard 2025 semifinalist, Culinary Institute of America graduate, and the visionary behind Sonoma’s Michelin-recognized Glen Ellen Star - honored with 12 consecutive Bib Gourmand awards - and his newly opened neighborhood Italian restaurant, Stella. But five years ago, a family photo in Hawaii sparked a personal transformation: Ari discovered running, not for medals, but to reclaim his health, focus and sense of accomplishment.On Finish Line Moments, Ari and Gretchen dive into the surprising parallels between running and running a kitchen: enduring the grind, chasing moving targets and celebrating every finish line, big or small. From elite East Coast kitchens like Restaurant Daniel, Corton, Le Bec Fin and The French Laundry, to leading luxury catering across Sonoma, Napa, Marin and San Francisco, Ari’s journey is one of perseverance, discipline and the relentless pursuit of excellence.