After a week of dealing with the aftermath of a small kitchen fire, and no injuries, BUILD reopened on Aug. 1 at its modern restaurant at the corner of Shattuck and Bancroft streets. The week-long repair and recertification to open also meant new kitchen appliances.
Sous Chef Jonathan Popenuck and General Manager Jonaten Martinez talked about the growing pizza, restaurant and bar establishment in a recent interview, both touting the design work of owners Lisa Holt and David Shapiro.
The restaurant offers a variety of fresh vegetables and meats, including pepperoni and fire-roasted sausages; other meats are brought over from Italy, including the sopressata piccate.
Vegetables and fresh produce come from Northern California. “Cost is a last factor,” Sous Chef Popenuck said. Popenuck said he wants to continue to add to the seasonal and ever-more creative dishes.
The restaurant also wants more student customers. To that end, they have offered Cal Nights during the school year, allowing students to try pizza at a reduced rate. They also host fundraising for Cal.
Popenuck, a graduate of UC-Berkeley, majored in English and minored in physics, then worked his way up in the kitchen. Now he helps manage and oversee the nine line chefs. He also administers changes in the daily menu.