Enoteca in Ketchum, Idaho: Meet the Chef

Feb 22

Meet the Chef: Enoteca in Ketchum, Idaho

We sat down with Executive Chef Adelaide Smithmason of Enoteca in Ketchum, Idaho. Sophisticated yet effortlessly welcoming, Enoteca has earned its reputation as one of Idaho’s premier Italian dining experiences. Blending alpine charm with authentic Italian influence, the restaurant delivers beautifully crafted pastas, thoughtfully curated wines, and flavors that feel both refined and deeply comforting.

Enoteca in Ketchum, Idaho: Meet the Chef

Every detail reflects a quiet dedication to quality, making Enoteca a destination where guests linger longer, savor more, and return whenever they can.

Tell us about what your morning routine looks like, and how you like to end your day?

I typically get up, make a cappuccino and then start on confirmations for our reservations that evening. Then I take my pups out for a walk and head into work for the night by 11 am. In the evening, I love to sit down for staff dinner with my crew at the end of the night. We open a bottle of wine and share a dinner full of laughter (and sometimes some tears). It’s always something I look forward to as it brings my team together in a wonderfully supportive and loving way. No matter how hard or stressful service may have been, when we’re around the table, it feels like coming home to family.

Do you have a favorite chef that you look up to and what advice would you give to aspiring chefs?

This is a really hard question as there are so many chefs who inspire me. My sister, Joey Mason, is my favorite chef. She is incredibly talented, creative, and has the most amazing palette. Her flavor combinations are innovative, fresh, and delicious. She was my inspiration when I stepped onto the line and has been hugely supportive in my culinary growth. Chef Dave Schenk has been our head chef and my teacher since 2012 when Enoteca opened. He is kind, supportive, and incredibly talented. He took me under his wing and has trained me into the chef that I am today.

Find a great teacher and a supportive team. Cooking is as much a science as an artform. Put your heart into it and love what you’re doing. And Be kind. That’s the most important rule in our kitchen. Treat your coworkers (and yourself) with kindness and empathy.

Do you have any awards or achievements you’d like to mention?

We’ve been featured in various publications over the years, but nothing personally.

What do you typically cook at home?

I love to make carbonara for my family. We have backyard chickens, and nothing beats farm fresh eggs and homemade pasta. I also love a good fresh summer tomato pasta with ingredients from my garden!

What drink do you enjoy most?

I love a beautiful whiskey sour, served up with an egg white. Or a crisp clean Italian white on a hot summer day.

Have you ever cooked for a celebrity? Do you have a story to tell?

We live in a beautiful area and have had many celebrities dine with us over the years. Drew Barrymore was incredibly kind, we loved having the Reiner family with us every holiday season, Woody Harrelson joined us during the Sun Valley Film Festival. We see the fabulous Jamie Lee Curtis from time to time. We’ve had Tom Hanks and Jimmy Fallon on our waitlist, but sadly couldn’t get them in.

What’s the strangest food combination you’ve ever tried? And, did you like it?

I had bone marrow - eel sushi at Sushi by Scratch in Montecito that was off the hook! One of my favorite things I’ve ever eaten. I also had an incredible white truffle ramen in Tokyo that was a beautiful combination of flavors.

What’s your Instagram so readers can follow you?

Follow the restaurant at @ketchumenoteca and myself at @adelaidejoyce.

Why should readers visit Enoteca in Ketchum, Idaho?

Come see us at Enoteca. We strive to use local ingredients and support our local southern Idaho farmers and ranchers. I do yearly trips to Italy with our core team to bring back fun new recipes and new wines for our list. Most of all, we love what we do and have a lot of heart and soul in our restaurant and our team!

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