Kevin Westlye chats with Tyler Florence during the inaugural SF Chefs event in 2009. Photo: Heather Wiley for Drew Altizer/Special to The Chronicle
Some industry news, from the Golden Gate Restaurant Association. Longtime executive director Kevin Westlye has a new gig, back in the private sector; he’s taken a job as president of High Flying Foods. Westlye had been the GGRA honcho for the last 7 years, and was instrumental in putting together the SF Chefs festival. He’ll still be the Chair of the SF Chefs Committee, and will remain a GGRA board member.
His replacement is Rob Black, who describes himself as a lifelong foodie. Black’s background consists mostly of public advocacy. He spent the last four years as Vice-President for Public Policy with the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, and before that, was legislative aide to former Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier. Black says that he’s hoping to continue building San Francisco’s reputation as a culinary destination.