Rochford, Ford Tapped for SHED Management

Kenneth (Kenny) Rochford has been named general manager, and Niki Ford, culinary arts director of a new cafe, specialty shop and community meeting place opening in February.

Rochford and Ford are “a lively, creative dream team that will realize our vision of SHED, a place where people eat, gather, stock up and learn,” said SHED owners Cindy Daniel and Doug Lipton.

A native of Scotland, Rochford has worked in the wine business since he was 18, most recently as general manager of Medlock Ames.

In 2010, he opened the winery’s Alexander Valley Bar and Tasting Room, a popular wine country destination.

 “It is incredible to be part of something beautiful and well-considered that will deliver a range of amazing products (food, wine, coffee, preserves and produce!) with community at its heart,” Rochford said of SHED.

Originally from Methuen, Massachusetts, Ford considers herself a Californian.

She worked six years in the café and restaurant at Chez Panisse and deepened her experience at the American Academy in Rome, part of the Rome Sustainable Food Project.

Ford, who has degrees in both culinary arts and fine arts, sees cooking as an expression of place, imagination and tradition.

"SHED is our vision of a modern grange, a community resource where locals and visitors gather to eat and learn,” Daniel added. “We will be sourcing and selling quality food of regional provenance as well as beautiful, enduring tools for the kitchen and garden.

"SHED’s cooking will be simple, soulful and full of flavor,” Daniel said.

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