Dad, What's For Dinner? A Conversation With Michelin-trained chef (and dad) David Nayfeld

Join us for a lively conversation with Michelin-trained chef (and awesome dad) David Nayfeld as we celebrate his delicious new book, Dad, What’s For Dinner? Get ready for stories, laughs, and maybe even a few secret recipes! 

*There is free parking at the venue, through the entrance on Fabian Way.

**Questions? Email Michelle Shabtai at mshabtai@paloaltojcc.org

ABOUT THE BOOK 

Chef David Nayfeld spent decades cooking in some of the best restaurants in the world—including his own—nourishing countless diners. Also, as a single parent to his young daughter, he knows just how important it is for families to come together around the table for delicious and nutritious meals. When his daughter started asking, “Dad, what’s for dinner?” he set out to translate his professional expertise into something that all fathers can use to become more confident and creative in the kitchen, and better able to care for their loved ones—and themselves. His new book is for dads (and moms, and grandparents, and anyone else who needs to get dinner on the table). It’s a book that believes “kids' food” can mean more than just buttered noodles.  

The cookbook Dad, What's For Dinner? Lifesaving Recipes to Avoid Meltdowns, Have Fun in the Kitchen, and Keep Your Kids Well Fed—With a foreword by Gwyneth Paltrow—includes more than 80 hearty and efficient recipes that everyone will love, from breakfast snacks to soups, stews, pastas, proteins, and desserts. Recipes are broken into 3 categories, by time required—Meltdown Meals (30min or less), Weeknight Meals (30-60min), and Project Cooking (1hour+/activity cooking). Each recipe also includes a mess rating (1-4) and notes along the way to show how you can involve kids in the cooking process. 

This book empowers home cooks, giving them the tools, strategies (the wonders of batch cooking!), and recipes to break reliance on frozen foods and delivery. It’s a book for bringing families together at the dinner table and for raising more adventurous eaters. And, most of all, it’s a book that answers that all-important question: Dad, what’s for dinner? (or lunch, or breakfast, or . . .)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David Nayfeld has worked with some of the best chefs in the world before co-creating Back Home Hospitality and opening the group’s first restaurant, Che Fico, in San Francisco, which was named one of the best new restaurants in America by Bon Appétit and Esquire. He is also the chef and co-owner of Che Fico Parco Menlo, il Mercato di Che Fico, and Che Fico Pizzeria, and was Star Chefs’ 2019 Rising Star Chef. Most recently, Nayfeld was named a semi-finalist for the 2023 James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Chef. David is currently opening another restaurant.

Author, David Nayfeld (photo by Eric Wolfinger)

ABOUT THE MODERATOR

David Rosenberg is the President and Owner of Closet Factory Bay Area, where he leads a dynamic team focused on designing and building custom home storage solutions tailored to each client’s needs.

A proud graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, David earned a degree in history with a concentration on Israeli-Palestinian peace relations—an academic foundation that reflects his enduring interest in community and dialogue.

David’s deep commitment to community service is rooted in family legacy. His grandfather devoted his life to developing Jewish community centers across the country, inspiring David to give back in meaningful ways. Today, he carries that legacy forward through his leadership at the Oshman Family JCC (OFJCC), where he serves as First Vice Chair and sits on the Executive Committee. He also chairs the Early Childhood Education Committee, helping shape the next generation of community engagement.

At Closet Factory, David is passionate about the company’s mission to “Transform Spaces, Enrich Lives.” He takes particular pride in Closet Factory Cares, an initiative that supports local nonprofits and community programs throughout the Bay Area.

David resides in Redwood City with his wife, Rachael—a practicing psychologist—and their two daughters. Both girls are graduates of the OFJCC Leslie Family Preschool and now attend Hausner Day School. Witnessing their growth and connection to Jewish life has been a profoundly meaningful experience for the entire family.

In his free time, David enjoys boating, cooking, planning community events, and finding innovative ways to strengthen and expand the Jewish ecosystem in Palo Alto and beyond.

Moderator, David Rosenberg