Raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Brad’s culinary passion was shaped by his access to fresh baked breads, made from scratch pancakes, wild caught salmon, moose, caribou, and fresh picked berries. Brad said, “Delicious and wholesome ingredients were standard growing up in Alaska. Words like “organic”, “local”, or “farm to table”, never had to be stated because it was already implied in everything we did. We all knew and it was already understood that’s how it should be.” Today Brad brings that same culinary perspective to The Goat and Vine. His desire is to provide the community with the most honest and wholesome made from scratch ingredients available, just as he grew up on in Alaska.
Prior to opening The Goat and Vine, Brad was the owner/operator of Great Harvest Bread Company for six years. While at Great Harvest, Brad’s store won the Top Bread Award for three consecutive years. Great Harvest, Temecula was also ranked in the top 20 bakeries across the country for six consecutive years, an accomplishment that has not been replicated in California since.
Before Brad brought Great Harvest Bread Company to Temecula, he and his wife Alicia, owned McGee Homes, where they were custom home builders in Alaska. Their work was so acclaimed that it has been featured on HGTV and has earned them the coveted Golden Hammer Award in building.
Brad was also a teacher for five years, where he coached high school boy’s varsity basketball. During his time as a coach, he was named regional coach of the year for his outstanding leadership and mentorship of his team. Brad said, “it has been my time spent as a coach that has inspired me to build The Goat and Vine as a family, as a team that truly embodies the idea that we are stronger and better together than alone.”
Brad holds his Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. He is also an avid reader in the craft of beer and wine and has achieved the status of level one Sommelier certification with the Court of Master Sommeliers.
When not working, Brad enjoys surfing, fly fishing, camping, hiking, and spending quality time with family and friends. He also has a passion for eating great food with great people.