Ariana Fernandez, Co-Owner, Chef
For Ariana Fernandez cooking was always an enjoyable and creative outlet for her. After high school she attended college for pre med classes, planning to become a Chiropractor like her father. After a year and a half she realized she needed a change though she wasn’t sure what. She decided she would go to culinary school for one year and if she liked it great, if not no real harm done. Ariana was immediately drawn to Bend when she saw the beautiful parks and rivers and they had a great culinary school. She moved two months later and began school. Right away cooking came so naturally to her, she loved it and began to work in town at various restaurants and doing catering.
After meeting Andres the two of them began making plans for their own restaurant where they could provide Bend with what they believed was missing; a beautiful restaurant that served exceptional food with professional service in a warm atmosphere.
Ariana is wife to Andres, mother to Gabriella and Isabel, and daughter of Glenn and Susan. In her spare time you can find her hanging out with her family at the park, and reading up on food and cooking.
Andres Fernandez, Co-Owner, Chef
Born and raised in Bogota Colombia, Andres Fernandez grew up with a love of good food. Andres would follow his mother and grandmother around the kitchen learning subconsciously how to cook by watching them work. After college Andres followed with a career in banking. Although successful, Andres was not fulfilled by his banking job and started to think about cooking. A little less than one month later Andres arrived in Bend Oregon to attend culinary school at Cascades Culinary Academy. Through the program Andres quickly picked up English and realized how much he loved cooking professionally. After graduation Andres worked in various restaurants in town; Scanlon’s, Cork, and Merenda. He would work all day and go home and study about food and wine. While working at Merenda he met his future wife Ariana and they began to make plans for their own restaurant.
In the restaurant Andres operates the kitchen, he handles all the ordering and most of the cooking and prepping for service. You can guarantee he is cooking at the restaurant every night of the week that we’re open. His favorite style of food is braised meats, and he has a real interest in learning everything there is to know about food through cooking, eating, and travel.
Husband to Ariana and father to two beautiful girls Gabriella and Isabel. In his free time you can find Andres fishing or golfing in the great Oregon outdoors.
Susan Asti, Co-Owner, Hostess
Susan Asti is Ariana’s Mother. Restaurant work is not new to Susan; she has worked in the industry many years as a server and bartender. She loves hosting at the restaurant, meeting new people and visiting with our beloved regulars. She has a great love of food and wine and her world travels have really sharpened her palette.
In Susan’s spare time you can find her hanging with the grandkids, reading, swimming, or working in her garden in the summer months.
Glenn J. Asti, D.C., Co-Owner, Beverage Manager
Dr. Glenn J. Asti is a Chiropractor and Ariana’s father. Dr. Asti keeps the staff in top shape providing spinal adjustments on a regular basis due to the repetitive physical stresses associated with restaurant work. Our mantra at work is "Great food, great wine and great health." The doctor can be reached at Newport Avenue Chiropractic, (541) 330-5737.
As if being a doctor isn’t enough, in Glenn’s spare time he is the restaurant’s beverage manager. He has a great palette for wines and has put together a really beautiful collection of Northwest focused wines.
Working in restaurants at every level, and meeting his lovely wife at one, he has a soft spot for the industry. From bartending to managing he’s done and seen it all. At the restaurant he’s a fixer: he has also done every odd job that needs doing including his fantastic sausages and his famous marinara sauce, which is an old family recipe handed down from his grandmother. In his spare time (what free time?) you can catch him doing yard work or fishing the great Oregon rivers.
Cara Mullis, Server
Before Ariana Restaurant inhabited the beautiful bungalow on Galveston it was home to “A Cup of Magic Coffeehouse”. One of the most stellar employees working there for years was Cara Whitson. When Ariana took over we immediately hired Cara to work for us. Since then Cara has become an integral member of the Ariana family. Cara is full of positivity, charm, and can put a smile on anyone’s face.
Cara was born and raised in Bend. Wife to Eric and new Mother to baby Preston.In her spare time you can find her enjoying the sunshine and watching her hubby perform in his band.
Joe Conrad, Server
If you've eaten out in the last twenty something years in Central Oregon, there's a good chance that Joe has waited on you. There is not many restaurants that haven't had the pleasure of working with Mr. Conrad. We are lucky to have acquired Joe's services as he is the consummate professional with a real love of his career.
In Joe's spare time you can be sure to find him on the golf course, usually with his lovely wife Mary.
Stephanie O’Brien, Server
Stephanie has got a fantastic sense of humor, and is always a pleasure to work with. She has worked for Ariana Restaurant for over three years and has her own group of loyal patrons who always ask for her service. Stephanie has worked in restaurants all over Oregon and we are lucky to have her when she’s available.
Mother of two lovely children Riley and Reese, and wife to Casey. She’s one busy lady.
If she’s not at the restaurant, you can bet she’s running her business “She’s Happy Design Co.” sewing beautifully hand crafted and creative pillows, aprons, and more. You can find these beautiful keepsakes at local stores.
Jason Knight, Server
Jason is a family man. Husband to Kristi and father of four, he's usually busy hanging with the family. Jason enjoys all the Bend outdoors have to offer, you can find him on the mountain in the winter, fishing in the summer, and surfing on the coast. We are lucky to have him in our restaurant family as he has a great warm and calm nature.
Nic Veenstra, Line Cook
Nic is a native of Holland and an amazing snowboarder. When he's not working you can find him on the slopes or hanging with friends. At the restaurant Nick has moved up from dish-washing to pantry to plating entrées, and has shown a real dedication to his work and an attention to detail.
Drew Montgomery, Steward
Drew is a Bend outdoorsman. From fishing to sports to hunting you can bet he's outside. A student of COCC, we are glad to have him as a part of our team.