From dishwasher to executive chef: Corey Rapp takes the helm at Karl Strauss

Corey Rapp Photo courtesy of Alternative Strategies Karl Strauss Brewing Co has appointed Corey Rapp as its new Executive Chef Rapp who has been with the company for years as a regional chef He takes over from Gunther Emathinger who is retiring after years in the role The company operates nine brewpubs in Southern California including four in San Diego S Ranch Carlsbad Downtown and Sorrento Mesa Rapp graduated from San Diego State University and completed Grossmont College s Culinary Arts Initiative Originally from Rockport Mass he began his career with Karl Strauss in as a sous chef at the Sorrento Mesa location In he was named Menu Research Maturation Coordinator working closely with Emathinger He was promoted to Regional Chef in and has since overseen menu expansion and kitchen operations across all brewpubs I had worked with Gunther for my entire tenure at Karl Strauss and I could not have solicited for a better mentor friend and culinary inspiration than him Rapp stated Without his tutelage and the incredible organization surrounding me I wouldn t have had any of the success here Before joining Karl Strauss Rapp was Executive Sous Chef at Croce s Restaurant and Jazz Bar for two years It was during that time that he developed an interest in craft beer which led to his application at Karl Strauss Rapp s first restaurant job was at age as a dishwasher He later worked as a seafood cook at Hannah Jumper Restaurant and Ellen s Harborside during his teenage years in Massachusetts I have enjoyed evolving the menu into what it is at present a consistently executed food pubground where there is something for everyone Rapp disclosed I am excited to continue emerging our seasonal pairings like our current Lemongrass Chicken Lettuce Wraps paired with Windansea Wheat Other current menu items include Duck Fat Pretzel Bites Ahi Poke Nachos Nachos for Grown-Ups Mac on Tap Mac and Cheese and Beeramisu made with Wreck Alley Imperial Stout-soaked lady fingers mascarpone and cocoa powder Founded in Karl Strauss was San Diego s first post-Prohibition craft brewery Outside of San Diego the company operates brewpubs in Anaheim Corona Dos Lagos Costa Mesa Downtown Los Angeles and Temecula Karl Strauss beers are available at the brewpubs and retail locations throughout California Arizona and Nevada