Bon APPécado! A Sonoma Chef, A Collector’s Vision, A Painter’s Tribute
In Healdsburg, where vineyards meet vision and chefs are treated like cultural icons, a portrait of Executive Chef Shane McAnelly now hangs in a private home; a collector’s tribute to culinary creativity, personal connection, and the evolving soul of Sonoma County.
The painting, Bon APPécado!, was created by artist Bradford Brenner after a collector brought him a photo of Shane standing in front of Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen. Inspired by the chef’s quiet charisma and the energy of the town itself, Bradford chose to abstract the background; allowing emotion, personality, and playful spirit to take center stage.
More than a clever title, Bon APPécado! is a one-of-a-kind commission born from admiration and shared history. McAnelly’s presence at Dry Creek Kitchen, where his seasonal menus and leadership have helped shape Healdsburg’s rise as a culinary destination, made him a natural muse for a portrait that celebrates both chef and community.
Bradford and Shane have known each other for over a decade, their paths crossing in a town that’s transformed dramatically over the years. Healdsburg has grown from a sleepy wine-country stop into a nationally recognized destination for food, art, and design. At the center of that growth has been Dry Creek Kitchen, Charlie Palmer’s flagship West Coast restaurant, known for its seasonal menus, deep relationships with local purveyors, and a wine list that beams with Sonoma pride. The restaurant has earned the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence and remains a cornerstone of Healdsburg’s culinary identity.
Shane McAnelly has played a pivotal role in that evolution. Before returning to Dry Creek Kitchen, he helmed acclaimed kitchens like Chalkboard and The Brass Rabbit, and was invited to cook at the prestigious James Beard House in New York; a recognition reserved for chefs whose work reflects innovation, excellence, and regional authenticity. His style is rooted in California’s seasonal bounty, with a flair for handmade pastas, bold flavors, and thoughtful technique.
“Shane’s not just a chef, he’s a cultural force,” Bradford shares. “I’ve watched him evolve alongside Healdsburg itself. This painting was personal. It’s about honoring someone who’s fed the community in more ways than one.”
The piece blends Bradford’s signature expressive brushwork with a sense of humor and reverence. It’s part character study, part cultural commentary and it marks the beginning of a new niche Bradford is excited to explore: portraits of chefs as icons. While Bon APPécado! was a one-off commission, it opened the door to a genre that feels ripe for expansion.
“There’s something powerful about capturing chefs in paint,” Bradford says. “They’re creators, risk-takers, and storytellers. I’d love to paint more, especially when the connection is real.”
For collectors, Bon APPécado! offers a glimpse into a new kind of art: one that celebrates culinary creativity with emotional nuance and visual charisma. For chefs, it’s a reminder that their work belongs not only on the plate, but on the wall.
It now lives in a contemporary Healdsburg home, an emblem of the town’s rich intersection of food, art, and community.
And Healdsburg’s culinary scene continues to rise. Just blocks from Dry Creek Kitchen, the three Michelin starred SingleThread offers a kaiseki-inspired tasting menu sourced from its own farm, where each dish is plated like a poem. Nearby, Scratch Sushi delivers a 10-seat omakase experience led by Chef Wilbur, whose nigiri creations are miniature works of art. In this town, chefs aren’t just cooks, they’re cultural contributors.
Bon APPécado! captures that spirit, honoring Shane McAnelly’s role in shaping Healdsburg’s flavor, identity, and soul.
Bradford Brenner welcomes inquiries for custom portraits and has a selection of available works that celebrate food, personality, and place. For chefs, collectors, and culinary fans, these pieces offer a lasting tribute to the artistry behind the apron.
Jessica Parker-Brenner, Gallery Manager of Bradford Brenner Gallery
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: JESSICA PARKER-BRENNER
Born in San Diego and raised along the West Coast as a proud Navy kid, I’ve always been drawn to places with soul. Whether it’s the quiet charm of Medford, Oregon, the creative pulse of San Luis Obispo, or the wine rich warmth of Healdsburg, California. My journey has been anything but linear, but every chapter has shaped how I curate, connect, and create.
Before stepping into the art world, I spent nearly a decade immersed in wine culture. First in St. Paul, Minnesota, where I managed a tasting room while completing my degree, and later at Ferrari-Carano Winery in Healdsburg. There, I oversaw the tasting room and led buying for furniture and merchandise across the Plaza and the Dry Creek Villa, blending hospitality with design.
In 2016, I joined the Bradford Brenner Gallery, where I’ve spent the past nine years managing operations, exhibitions, and brand development. While I may not have a painter’s touch (Brad and I learned that the hard way…RIP to many tubes of oil paint), I found my creative stride in digital design, SEO strategy, and social media branding.
My background in consumer and business lending (JP Morgan Chase), paired with my early banking internship at Washington Mutual, gave me a strong foundation in client relations and strategic planning. Today, I bring that same precision and empathy to the gallery. Whether I’m curating installations, designing promotional materials, or guiding collectors through Bradford’s work.
At heart, I’m a connector. I love helping people find beauty, meaning, and resonance. Whether through a painting, a story, or a shared glass of wine.