Rick Hackett
Executive Chef
Richard is a classically-trained chef who has experience in some of the most notable restaurants in the Bay Area, including Chez Panisse, Bay Wolf, Postrio and Florio. Richard was the opening Executive Chef for Oliveto and MarketBar, he was also the Executive Chef/Owner of Enrico’s, Tavolino, and Bandol, all in North Beach in San Francisco. To further his knowledge, he studied bread baking by working at Acme Bread.
In 2009, Richard opened the original Bocanova in Jack London Square. He returned to his position of Executive chef at MarketBar while planning the reopening of Bocanova. Equipped with his management experience, his understanding of the restaurant business, and his passion for quality food and wine, Richard will take a fresh approach towards preparing and presenting the best Pan-American food that California has to offer.
Martin Ladera F
General Manager
Born in Peru and raised in Japan, Martin Ladera, has not only been exposed to a wide array of culinary styles, but also draws on his 20-year restaurant experience in the Cheesecake Factory’s Flagship restaurant in Walnut Creek, MarketBar in the San Francisco Ferry Building and Poggio in Sausalito among others. He spent five years at MarketBar, working collaboratively with Chef Rick Hackett, during which time they developed a solid working relationship. He is a trained Sommelier who wants to expose guests to the wide array of “New World” Pan-American wines and spirits and of course will ensure Bocanova’s Pisco Sour is one of the best in the Bay Area.
Meredith Melville
Community Liason
Meredith began her restaurant career in
California as a server in two top East Bay restaurants, Bay Wolf and Chez Panisse. The experience gained at these two restaurants was invaluable. It gave her a life-long love of food, a deep appreciation for stellar service, and the important understanding of the responsibility of management to provide an inclusive and supportive environment for their workers.
Over the years, she has learned the vital role restaurants can play in supporting local farmers, purveyors, and community.
Recognizing the strengths and talents of her partners, she has adopted the role of
community liaison. Bocanova’s strong commitment to social justice and environmental stewardship drives our actions. She has developed supportive relationships with a number of non-profit organizations, including Youth Alive, Arts for Oakland Kids (AOK), and Sprouts Cooking School. With the reopening of Bocanova, she is looking forward to foraging many more.