[ the past ]
Under-Study lives in a space with a rich – and delicious – history in Napa Valley, when food and wine entrepreneur Leslie Rudd, founder of PRESS and Rudd Estate, opened a Dean & DeLuca location here, bringing a taste of New York’s iconic gourmet market to St. Helena.
Today, alongside our neighbors, The Museum of Art & Culture (The MAC), we’re honored to bring new life into the space under the leadership of Samantha Rudd, Chef Partner Philip Tessier, and Managing Partner Justin Williams, we’ve reimagined this historic space as a modern, colorful take on a culinary playground —where creativity thrives, and tradition meets innovation.
[ the present ]
Under-Study brings together a curated blend of culinary and beverage disciplines — viennoiserie, bakery, pastry, butchery, coffee brewing, and winemaking. Every ingredient we source, seed we plant, technique we refine, and tool we use is intentionally under study. The name reflects our ongoing pursuit of excellence and curiosity in everything we create.
[ the future ]
The creation of Under-Study has been a ground-up endeavor, while rooted in the idea of teaching the next generation of culinary leaders with a dedication to excellence in the culinary arts. The next step in Under-Study’s journey will include the unveiling of our Culinary Lab—a dynamic space that doubles as a teaching kitchen for cooking classes. This next chapter will allow us to share our passion with both Napa Valley visitors and aspiring chefs, offering immersive experiences that celebrate learning, creativity, and the joy of cooking, both in person and virtually.