Ramekins Sonoma Valley Culinary School developer and owner Suzanne Brangham has sold her enterprise and rammed-earth building to politically connected developer Darius Anderson and Chateau Sonoma owner Sarah Anderson.
Brangham and Anderson announced the sale to Ramekins staff Tuesday evening, Nov. 25, the deal was signed Wednesday, Nov. 26, and the sale/purchase will be recorded on Monday, Dec. 1.
Since Brangham created the cooking school in 1998, it rose in world respect to win the prestigious International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) Cooking School of the Year Award in 2005. Some of the world’s finest chefs teach at Ramekins, including Jacques Pépin, Paula Wolfert, The Hearty Boys and Rick Bayless.
Anderson said, “My wife Sarah and I purchased Ramekins as an investment in the Sonoma community and are excited to build upon the already outstanding experience that Suzanne and her team have created.”
“We are all so excited,” enthused Ramekins general manager Lisa Lavagetto. “Part of what is so exciting is Darius’s enthusiasm.”
Apparently Anderson and his team plan to spend time learning the business, doing some spruce-up upgrades, slowly enhance programs, and even add other campuses.
Brangham said, “I’m thrilled with the transition as they are local and absolutely love Ramekins as much as I do.” The Andersons are passionately committed residents of Sonoma who just restored and moved into a Victorian home here. Anderson is also a well known collector of Jack London first editions and memorabilia.
All of Ramekins’ December classes will continue as planned, and the new January-April class catalogue will be mailed next week.
It appears that Sarah and Darius Anderson, who are known for their golden touch in all enterprises, again have perfect timing with last week’s closing of Napa’s COPIA-The American Center for Wine, Food & Art.
