Hello South Bay!
We’re incredibly excited to introduce to you the new additions to our foodie family. Michael Franks, Shelby Salerno, and Chris Valcarcel have joined our team to help provide you with the best experience possible at South Bay Food Company, because we don’t just serve food here, we make memories!
Here’s a little bit about each of our new team members:
Michael Franks - Catering Director (CD)
Michael has been in the food business for many years! His passion for food and quality service shows in his work through his engagement with various businesses and charities such as Michael & Robert’s Melange Catering, Seed to Plate Garden, and For Our Children. He was Student of the Year at Ealing College and Hotel School in London, and co-owner of over 8 restaurants including Redondo Beach’s beloved Chez Melange.
Shelby Salerno - Creative Director (CD)
Shelby was born in Michigan, but raised in the sunny, surf’s up area of Redondo Beach! She earned her bachelor’s degree in creative writing at Sonoma State University in northern California along with her masters in creative writing at Swansea University in the United Kingdom. She loves writing poetry about mental health, all things Disney, and long walks on the beach with her pup, Winnie.
Chris Valcarcel - Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Chris lived in Peru for 12 years before moving to the South Bay with an adventurous and fun-loving attitude. He earned his bachelor's degree in Business Administration Finance at California State University Long Beach, has experience as a Cost Estimating and Modeling Analyst at an Aerospace Company, and actively manages his family’s Dry Cleaning business’s finances. He is an avid brewery buff, kombucha maker, and enjoys traveling.
Welcome to our team Michael Franks, Shelby Salerno, and Chris Valcarcel!