Ignacio “Nacho” Zuzulich is the co-executive chef at The Lodge at Dawn Ranch in Guerneville.
Born in Argentina, he has a culinary passion that stems from his family’s restaurant background. His impressive career spans prestigious kitchens including Lasai in Rio de Janeiro, Michel Bras in France, Mugaritz in Spain (where he advanced to head chef) and the three-Michelin starred Restaurant at Meadowood. This was the job that brought him to our area and exposed him to the special ingredients inherent to Northern California cuisine.
Having lived all over the world, Zuzulich has a cooking style that blends Argentine roots with global influences. At Dawn Ranch since its 2023 relaunch, he partners with co-executive chef Juliana Thorpe, who hails from Brazil and has followed a similar global cooking path as Zuzulich. The two emphasize creativity and innovation with local produce.
Amber Turpin: What’s your job?
Ignacio Zuzulich: I serve as a co-executive chef, although I prefer to simply call myself a cook. In my view, that’s the most genuine way to describe our daily craft and all the responsibilities it involves.
How did you get into that work?
Cooking runs in my family—from my grandmother and father to my uncles, and now me. We’ve owned restaurants in Córdoba, Argentina, for more than 30 years, so I grew up in that environment. After school, I’d jump in to help, washing lettuce, making flan or prepping milanesa. I practically lived in our restaurants, and there came a point when I realized I wanted to commit myself fully to what I love most—cooking.
Did you ever have an “aha” moment with a certain beverage? If so, tell us about it.
I believe these moments happen whenever you taste something completely unexpected or discover a new flavor that surprises you. As time goes by, they become even more meaningful when you share them with friends, a partner or anyone you’ve built a genuine connection with—often over a good glass of wine.
What is your favorite thing to drink at home?
I keep plenty of Argentine wines on hand. And if I had to choose just one, it would be the kind that instantly brings me back home, at least for a little while.
Where do you like to go out for a drink?
I absolutely love Maison in Healdsburg. They make you feel welcome from the moment you walk in, treat you like an old friend. And there’s always something new to learn about wine whenever I visit.
If you were stuck on a desert island, what would you want to be drinking (besides fresh water)?
If it happened to be a deserted island in Argentina, I’d go for a classic: fernet branca and coke, with plenty of ice.
Dawn Ranch, 16467 Ca-116, Guerneville, 707.869.0656. dawnranch.com.
