Chef Bios

Chef Zaclyn Rivera

Chef Zaclyn Rivera's passion was ignited at a very young age. As long as she can remember, she baked and decorated sugar cookies with her mom during the holidays. Backed by a strong work ethic and a keen eye for detail, Chef Z. Rivera continually maintains an innovative perspective on classical breads and pastries.

Chef Zaclyn attended the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco where she laid the foundation for her already aspiring passion for baking. Her culinary career as a baker began in the East Bay focusing on bread and baked goods. Drawn by the Silicon Valley's entrepreneurial spirit, she worked for Google's culinary team and later took a role as Pastry Chef for Calafia Cafe and Market A-Go-Go in Palo Alto (where she met Chef Albert Rivera). After honing their skills in Silicon Valley, The Riveras were attracted to the slower pace of Napa Valley; surrounding themselves with the natural bounty of excellent produce, food, and wine. Zaclyn is currently a pastry chef at the Carneros Inn.

Chef Albert Rivera

At the helm of The Boon Fly Café kitchen, Chef Albert Rivera ignites his appetite for a modern and sophisticated dining experience; continuing to develop the rustic modern menu the restaurant is praised for. Inspired by comfort food and his extensive background in California cuisine, he continues to create inventive, crowd-pleasing dishes with the philosophy of farm to table cooking in mind.

Chef A. Rivera attended the Culinary Institute of America’s Greystone campus, where he graduated at the top of the class with the Culinary Award. Chef Albert's dedication and zeal for learning earned him a Bi Rite scholarship. He augmented his coursework with kitchen apprenticeships for Chefs Hiro Sone and Lissa Doumani at Terra Kitchen and Chef Kelly Degala at Pres a Vi. A natural leader, he served on the catering teams for several of Northern California’s highest profile events and venues; including a reception for the Dalai Lama at Alta Mira in Sausalito, the Bohemian Club, the Napa Valley Wine Auction, and Robert & Maria Sinskey. Most recently, Chef Albert Rivera served as Sous Chef at the Napa Valley Country Club under Chef Heather McCormick before eventually landing at Boon Fly Café as its current executive chef.