In the kitchen at
The team at Stella brings together the experienced group behind Glen Ellen Star, combining years of expertise in culinary arts, hospitality, and restaurant management. United by a shared passion for exceptional dining, they focus on community, creativity, and the finest local ingredients. With seasoned leadership in both the kitchen and front-of-house, this dedicated team ensures every guest enjoys a warm, memorable experience, making Stella a standout destination for California-Italian cuisine in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country.
Ari Weiswasser
Chef/Proprietor
A 2025 James Beard Award Semifinalist, Ari spent his formative culinary years in numerous fine-dining establishments in New York City and Philadelphia, mastering the fundamentals of elevated cuisine and service before moving to California and deciding to do things differently at Glen Ellen Star. He then spent two years at Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry in Yountville before opening Glen Ellen Star in 2012 across the street from his wife’s family’s Benziger Family Winery, planting gardens in the vineyard to provide much of the kitchen’s produce. Weiswasser also owns and operates the restaurant’s private party operations, under the name Park Avenue Catering.
Spencer Waite
Managing Partner
Spencer is an accomplished hospitality professional with more than 25 years of experience in restaurant operations, management, and high-end service. As Managing Partner of Glen Ellen Star, Stella, and SMASH, Spencer oversees operations and helps guide the guest experience, team development, and continued growth of all three restaurants. Prior to relocating to California, Spencer held management roles at Matunuck Oyster Bar in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, and Camille’s on Federal Hill in Providence. He also refined his skills in upscale dining at The Capital Grille Chestnut Hill and gained valuable boutique hospitality experience at The Inn at Hastings Park, a Relais & Châteaux property in Lexington, Massachusetts. Throughout his career, Spencer has remained focused on operational excellence, thoughtful hospitality, and creating restaurant environments where both guests and employees feel genuinely cared for.
Ashley Waite
Marketing Manager
Ashley is the marketing manager for Glen Ellen Star, Stella and SMASH and also bringing nearly 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry. With a background at The Capital Grille and other esteemed East Coast establishments, Ashley has honed her expertise in hospitality management, guest relations, and event coordination. Her passion for crafting exceptional dining experiences and strategic approach to branding make her an integral part of both restaurants.
Steve Gledhill
General Manager
Steve brings a wealth of hospitality expertise to wine country from Boston, Massachusetts. A seasoned professional with extensive experience managing high-end restaurants, Steve has held leadership roles at renowned establishments such as Menton, The Capital Grille, and Smith & Wollensky. Beyond his dedication to operational excellence and top-tier service, Steve possesses a deep and detailed knowledge of wine, which he will use to train our team on Stella’s unique program. His refined approach to hospitality, combined with his passion for wine education, ensures an exceptional experience for both guests and staff alike.
Miller mcRae
Chef de cuisine
A Santa Rosa native, Chef Miller’s career has taken him through celebrated restaurants including Saison in San Francisco, where he worked as both a Chef de Partie and forager, developing a deep appreciation for the relationship between the kitchen and the land. He has also cooked at Morimoto Restaurants in Napa, Maui, and South Beach, sharpened his craft at The Madrona, and spent time at Coyote Family Farm, experiences that continue to shape his thoughtful, ingredient-driven approach to cooking. His passion for the kitchen began much closer to home at the Station House Café in Point Reyes, where he landed his first restaurant job and discovered the career that would eventually bring him back to Sonoma County.
Outside the kitchen, Miller is a devoted husband and father to two boys. When he’s not cooking, you’ll likely find him playing chess, hunting for vinyl records, or spending time with his family.
With Italian roots and a lifelong connection to Sonoma County, Miller brings both world-class experience and hometown perspective to Stella. We can’t wait for you to experience his cooking and get to know the chef helping shape the next chapter of our kitchen.
Gregory Kasparian
Assistant General Manager
Hailing from the Northeast, Greg began his hospitality journey in Saratoga Springs, New York managing Prime Steakhouse at Saratoga National Golf Club, one of the top 100 golf courses in the country. It was here where Greg refined his hospitality skills and developed his passion for fine wine. Greg would later go on to have a successful career in the wine business working for industry leaders in each facet of the beverage industry. His passion and dedication to hospitality and wine lead him to relocate to beautiful wine country in 2020. Once here, Greg managed the sales operations for one of California's oldest wineries, Gundlach Bundschu while moonlighting the weekends at Glen Ellen Star. With his dedication to hospitality and infectious personality, Greg quickly became a customer favorite and helped foster our culture of courteous hospitality. If you've ever had the opportunity of having Greg as your server, chances are you've shared a laugh and had an amazing experience. We are very lucky to have Greg as our Assistant General Manager and his decades of hospitality and wine expertise join our managing team at Stella.