Season XIII: Amanecer Eizner + Wes Cooke, Hidden Kitchen + 7th Generation Design, Cayucos + Cambria, CA

Amanecer Eizner and Wes Cooke are two of the minds and hearts behind Hidden Kitchen in Cambria and Cayucos, California. Amanecer grew up at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, the famous property that is, as Wikipedia puts it, a “non-profit American retreat center and intentional community which focuses on humanistic alternative education.” Esalen was ground zero for the New Age movement, so it’s always fascinated me that Amanecer grew up there as a child. Today, she owns and operates Hidden Kitchen, a set of two restaurants that serve blue corn waffles and smoothies, all gluten free, and all free of cane sugar. I truly love an HK waffle, and I know I’m not alone. Amanecer's fiance Wes Cooke helps keep the business sustainable and community-oriented, but he is also partner at 7th Generation Design, a company that helps properties implement regenerative systems, like permaculture, rainwater harvesting and irrigation, and natural erosion and pest control. Amanecer and Wes come to the table from different angles, but their values are deeply linked, as you’ll hear. 

Website: hiddenkitchencalifornia.com / 7thgenerationdesign.com

Instagram: @hiddenkitchencalifornia / @7th_generation_design