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Every dish tells a tale of where we come from, who we love, and how we come together. Those stories are the beating heart behind our annual Cook the Cover series. What started as a recipe challenge has evolved into a celebration of the flavors, traditions, and connections that make San Diego’s food community so rich.

And our community certainly delivered, submitting beloved recipes handed down from family tables. We tasked three local chefs with choosing dishes that told a story, were approachable for home cooks, and highlighted local ingredients. It wasn’t easy to pick only three from all the heartfelt recipes submitted, but the dishes featured here stood out for both their flavors and stories. A sincere thank you to all the readers who sent in recipes and shared a piece of their kitchen, their memories, and their love of food with us.

Food for Cook the Cover generously sponsored by Jimbo’s. A special thank you to MIHO creative event studio for generously hosting the Cook the Cover test kitchen.

From MIHO

ROCÍO SISO GURRIARAN

For Rocío Siso Gurriaran, cooking has always been about love, connection, and the beauty of simplicity. Raised in a small town in northwestern Spain, she learned to cook from her mother and grandmother, who passed down the belief that food is the oldest form of love language. After moving to San Diego in 2001, Gurriaran worked her way through kitchens like Tapenade and Nine-Ten, where she spent over a decade refining her voice.

From LuckyBolt

JESSE AGHRAVI

While most kids were watching cartoons after school, Jesse Aghravi was glued to Great Chefs of the World. Raised on the East Coast, his culinary roots began at home with his father, a master of the grill, and continued through his teens and college years, where he worked in kitchens. Aghravi later earned his stripes at acclaimed New York restaurants like Spigolo, Ciano, and the Michelin-starred The Musket Room.

These experiences shaped his flavor-forward style and belief that “a chef’s job is to make memories in people’s milestone moments.” Since relocating to San Diego in 2018, Aghravi has embraced the bright, seasonal flavors of Mediterranean cuisine, which he’ll bring to life at LuckyBolt’s expansion later this year.

For Cook the Cover, he stayed true to that influence, selecting the Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb because “the Mediterranean feel to the dish was calling my name.” The preparation was seamless, and the final result was everything he hoped for: savory, aromatic, and deeply satisfying.

From Terra Catering

JEFF ROSSMAN

For Jeff Rossman, some dishes speak louder than others. “I’m a sucker for bolognese,” he says.

“I love simple, flavorful food—and this one was a no-brainer.” A longtime admirer of Italian cuisine, Rossman helped select this season’s featured recipes. Although he wasn’t able to test Mama Marie’s Bolognese due to a work emergency, he was moved by the heartfelt story behind it and knew it was a dish that deserved to be shared. As one of San Diego’s farm-to-table pioneers, Rossman spent over 27 years at the helm of Terra. Today, he runs Terra Catering & Events, where he continues his mission to highlight local ingredients and craft memorable meals. For Rossman, great food is about more than flavor: It’s about bringing people together, whether over a plated dinner or a bowl of something timeless, like bolognese.