February 2020 made 13 years of culinary excellence at Sapphire Laguna, where my team and I have made countless memories and created a special bond with so many beautiful people of the Laguna Beach community and each of our guests.

The difficult decision was made to transition ownership of Sapphire Laguna Restaurant and Pantry into the capable hands of restaurateur Russ Bendel. As owner of Vine Restaurant in San Clemente, Ironwood in Laguna Hills, and Olea in Newport Beach, Russ is a respected restaurant industry veteran, and someone I know will build on the tradition of Sapphire Laguna Restaurant and Pantry. He will make minor enhancements and rename the restaurant Sapphire, Cellar. Craft. Cook.

I am passing the torch to focus all of my attention on Sapphire Culinary Group: including my Sapphire at School, Sapphire Catering, and Sapphire at Work programs, and some exciting new projects I look forward to sharing with the public.

I thank all of our loyal guests for helping Sapphire Laguna thrive for 13 years now, and I encourage all to enjoy Sapphire, Cellar. Craft. Cook.

This restaurant — and all of you — will always hold a very special place in my heart.

— Azmin Ghahreman, Executive Chef & CEO of Sapphire Culinary Group