Mitchell Cutler – OwnerMitchell was born August, 17, 1962 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He was raised by Arnold & Cynthia Barnak-Cutler. Arnold, a restaurateur and Cynthia a professional interior designer, created a home for free thinkers. Mitchell’s earliest dining memories were the Sunday night dinner at Moon Wah (think Seinfeld). Dinner # 3 for 4, change the chicken almond to chicken chow mein Chinese style, add 1 extra soup, 2 extra egg rolls and a pu-pu platter for 4. Eager to work, Mitchell worked delivering newspapers in below freezing temperatures at 12 and at A&W Rootbeer on weekends beginning at 14 years old.He completed his mixology training (1982) and bartended his way through college. Stints at fashion and television modeling, Giorgio Armani and Ralph Lauren sales always put a few loonies in his pocket. Mitchell graduated from McGill University (1985) with a B.A. in Art History. He then became the fastest promoted manager in Domino’s Pizza Corporate history (1986). He moved to Tampa, Florida and worked as a line cook at CDB Italian Restaurant and at various banqueting and catering assignments. A few upscale server positions paved the way for him to take over as the sommelier at Neil’s French Restaurant and gained valuable experience as a wine sales executive working for Tampa Wholesale Liquor in their On-Premise Division.After opening and operating a Melting Pot Restaurant franchise in N. Miami Beach, Florida (1989-92), it became apparent that taking the path less traveled was needed. In 1992, Mitchell and his wife Tracey Tate-Cutler traveled around the country and selected Saratoga, California. They opened La Fondue Restaurant (1992) and raised their two treasured children Sky (b: 1989) and Ali (b: 1990) there. Mitchell was trained by Diedrich and certified a roast master (1996). He opened the Blue Rock Shoot Coffee Roasting Café and specialized in the importation and sales of cigars for the aficionado. Mitchell’s interests include family & friends, food & beverage hospitality, travel, APBT dog rescue, philosophy & evolutionary history, design, music & soccer. He traces his biggest life influences to his wife Tracey and his parents, Arnold & Cynthia. The Bible, musicians Cat Stevens and U2, writers R.W. Emerson & Allan Watts and philosophers Fredric Nietzsche and Plato all have contributed to his personal “Weltanschauung”.
Tracey Tate – Cutler – Owner
Born February, 23, 1962 in Turlock, California, U.S.A. Tracey is a 5th generation Californian and was raised by Bob & Marie Mitchell-Tate. Bob a COO of DECA and Marie created a Rockwellian home environment influenced by 1960’s San Francisco love. Tracey’s earliest food memories were during the 1960’s on Friday nights at the Taco House in Turlock. Tracey remembers joyful feelings of youthful infatuation by the presence of the beautiful Hernandez brothers. Suddenly, the salsa tasted fresh, sweet, salty, invigorating and satisfying.At 13 Tracey’s family moved to Germany and were exposed to 1970’s European culture (think ABBA). Eventually, Tracey returned stateside and graduated from the University of South Florida (1985), with a B.A. in Political Science. It was at that time, Tracey a Tri-Delta sorority sister developed her passion for dining with her youthful love (Mitchell Cutler), and they dreamed of opening a restaurant in their future together.
Tracey worked a server position at CDB Italian Restaurant, cocktailing at Robbiconti’s Night club, catering and banqueting at various assignments through out Tampa during her college years.Tracey ran the “front of the house” of The Melting Pot Restaurant in North Miami Beach, Florida (1989-92) as an owner/franchisee with her husband. In 1992, Tracey and her husband (Mitchell) escaped from Florida and traveled around the country looking for a new location to build a business and raise their two treasured children Sky (1989) and Ali (1990). They selected Saratoga, California, as their new home and raised their children there.
Tracey’s interests include many, but family & friends, politics, travel & a budding interest in health through nutrition is taking precedence at the moment. Her greatest passion is reserved for “Animal Rights”. Tracey completed with Honors her Animal Behavior College Certification in July of 2009; she is now a Certified Dog Trainer, as well as a Certified Dog Walker through DogTec. She is a co-founder of Our Pack, a local rescue & educational non-profit that deals specifically with Pit-bull issues. She had the privilege of working with Leo upon his release from court custody as a former Michael Vick dog. She runs the APBT hiking group StubbyDog Trekkers, “A Hiking Group for Pit-bull People & their Friends,” http://www.meetup.com/stubbydogtrekkers. She is a former volunteer & active supporter of the Silicon Valley Humane Society, www.hssv.org. Tracey’s passion has been working on behalf of the misunderstood, towards a world of kindness for all. She believes in “Chain-Free Living” for the 21st century.
