Rucolina is an events company that specializes in creating bespoke private dining experiences, as well as putting on pop ups and supper clubs. Natalie Nachtwey (chef and co owner) and Madison Derek (director of operations and co owner) met working in restaurants in 2015 and instantly bonded over their mutual love of food, wine, travel and hospitality. When the Covid shutdown happened in 2020, they started putting on private dinners that aimed to bring a restaurant style experience home and transport their guests in a time when people were unable to eat out or travel. Since then, they have expanded into doing pop ups, supper clubs and larger format events. 

 

They offer a range of services from doing intimate dinner parties to larger events of upwards of 60 people. For parties of 20 or less they also offer   their specially curated linens, flatware, silver wear, flowers and other decor to truly get the full Rucolina experience!    

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Natalie Nachtwey is a Bay Area native who has had a lifelong passion for food and cooking. She spent five years working in high-end restaurant kitchens in San Francisco, where she learned diverse techniques and broadened her knowledge of preparing various cuisines. She's also spent extensive time in Italy working on agroturismos across Tuscany, where she practiced traditional cooking methods and learned about different regional specialties. 

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Madison Derek has worked as a restaurant manager, sommelier, and server for the past seven years in upscale restaurants across Los Angeles and San Fransisco. Her areas of expertise are in Italian and Spanish wine, as well as regional Mediterranean ingredients and cuisine. Her love of food and wine are paralleled only by her love of travel, which constantly inspires her to continue researching and learning. 

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