Owners
Chef
Jolene Lucci was born and raised in the pacific northwest on one of the largest vegetable
farms in Washington State. Like most chef's, Jolene's appreciation of fine food began when
she was very young. Her major influences came from her parents and grandmother who cooked with only
the freshest ingredients grown and harvested from the family farm. Her step-father who was a
culinary arts instructor at California Culinary Academy taught Jolene the finer points of cooking
and food preparation. And she has brought this family tradition to her restaurant kitchen, using
only the freshest organic foods and herbs in every dish she prepares.
Operations Manager Glenn Lucci's experience surpasses most
when it comes to food, catering, and banquet presentation and management. His resume encompasses
some forty years in the business and includes some of the finest hotels and restaurants in the
country.
Glenn began his F & B career as a banquet server in 1975 at the Villa
Chartier in San Francisco. From there he continued his career at the original "Hyatt
House" in Burlingame CA, then onto The Plaza and the Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf, both also
in San Francisco. But the pinnacle of his career came when he worked at the Hotel Meridian under
world renowned French Master Chef Alain Chappel.
Together, Glenn and Jolene have more
than 80 years experience in the business. Married for 35 years they originally met in San Fransisco
while working together at the Meridian Hotel. Soon after they were married and eventually moved here
to the midwest where they gathered their ideas and knowledge and opened the Back When Cafe. Glenn
and Jolene have 2 wonderful children, Glenn jr., and Gianna.
