Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Tilaka.
Hi Vanessa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My culinary journey began with luxury hotels and positions as Sous Chef under Bryant Ng at Spice Table, followed by experiences at San Francisco’s Flour+Water and Octavia, and then back to LA at M. Georgina. Despite my success as a chef, I was continually drawn to the world of cheese.
An education grant from Flour + Water allowed me to dive deeper into the cheese industry, particularly through The Cheese School of San Francisco, under Kiri Fisher’s mentorship. This passion led me to cheesemonger roles at Fisher’s Cheese and Wine, Monsieur Marcel, and Cookbook Market.
Today, I co-own Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery in Old Pasadena with my husband, Thomas Tilaka Kalb. We serve elevated American comfort foods and artisan cheeses, focusing on creating a welcoming community space.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey has certainly had its challenges. For starters, we opened during the pandemic! Balancing costs and wages while ensuring our staff is well taken care of is an ongoing challenge. We strive to maintain reasonable prices without compromising on the quality of our artisanal and homemade products. The support from the cheese community has been instrumental in navigating these challenges.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Agnes Restaurant & Cheesery is a modern American restaurant and cheese shop passionate about education for our team and our customers about cheese and fostering a warm and inviting atmosphere in Pasadena and the greater LA community. Our inspirations are deeply influenced by classic American regional cooking, which we present with a creative and elevated approach that highlights sustainable, farm-to-table fare. We push the envelope for comfort and creativity. We offer a variety of experiences, including:
Cut-to-order Cheese Shop: Featuring a carefully curated selection of cheeses, meats, wines, and related provisions from small, artisanal producers
All-Day Menu, Dinner, and Brunch: Our menus emphasize comfort and nostalgia, providing dishes that are both familiar and innovative
Platters and Gift Boxes: The perfect way to elevate any occasion
Private Dining: We offer intimate private dining options for small gatherings and full restaurant buy-outs for larger events
Quarterly Cheese Club: Our subscription box features under-the-radar cheeses and artisan accompaniments
Cheese Classes: Interactive classes are designed to educate and delight cheese enthusiasts
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was shy and introverted, yet always drawn to hospitality. My family has been in the food business for several generations, starting with my grandparents, who owned a restaurant in Thailand. My father and uncles opened the first Thai market in Los Angeles on Melrose in the 1960s. I have fond memories of running around the store aisles as a child and sitting down for big, family-style meals after we closed shop.
Pricing:
- Cheese Plates: Starting at $36
- Daytime Menu: $8 to $46
- Brunch Menu: $6 to $27
- Dinner Menu: $12 to $62
- Cheese Classes: Starting at $95 per person
Contact Info:
- Website: www.agnesla.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/agnes_cheesery
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/agnes-restaurant-and-cheesery-pasadena
