Station House Cafe

Meet Chef Wayne Pratt!


Ask Wayne Pratt to describe what he likes best about the culinary arts and the soft-spoken chef doesn¹t mince words.
“I feel like I was destined to do this,” he says with a bemused smile.

Pratt, 29, a Southern California native who as a teen relocated to San Francisco, arrived at the Station House Café last year as a line cook. But his natural talent for creating innovative, great
tasting, healthy dishes soon became obvious. In April, he stepped up to fill the head chef’s position at the West Marin eatery.

“Wayne is like a breath of fresh air,” says Sheryl Cahill, owner of the Station House Café. “His ambition and drive are tempered by a kind and gentle disposition.  But make no mistake, when it comes to the kitchen and his culinary creativity, Wayne is all business.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to have him on board.”

And what does Pratt like best about the StationHouse Café?

“It’s a real group effort here,” he says. “I like that a lot.”

His new title is just one of several new beginnings
for this gifted young chef: he only recently moved to
West Marin and is a newlywed—Pratt and his wife
Heather reside in Marshall.

Pratt has been working in restaurants since age 12. That’s
when he started as a dishwasher at the Farm to Market grocery and delicatessen in San Juan Capistrano, a job that helped to instill his appreciation for organic and locally grown produce.

At 18, Pratt worked as a line cook at the bustling Waterfront
Grill in Santa Barbara. He eventually became the butcher and fishmonger at that acclaimed seaside restaurant before working his way up to the position of sous chef.

Pratt later studied the culinary arts formally in Portland, Oregon, but he singles out two mentors who helped him hone his skills: Jerry Wilson, head chef at the Waterfront Grill in Santa Barbara; and Heath Brackett, the restaurant’s sous chef.

“They taught me so much,” he says. “I have a lot of respect
for them, especially because they were willing to take a
chance on me.”

That training is evident in the flavorful seafood dishes that
Pratt has added to the Station House Café’s dinner menu,
most notably the pan-seared, wild Coho salmon with sake-mirin glaze, served with Asian snap-pea slaw; and the potato-crusted, local filet of sole with orange-basil beurre blanc and green beans.

Other recent specials include his linguini with grilled Niman Ranch hangar steak, gorgonzola cream sauce and caramelized onions; and homemade ravioli stuffed with ricotta and spring peas in a sauce of pureed carrot, ginger and red pepper.

Also in evidence is Pratt’s in-depth training at the Dutch Bakery and Café in San Juan Capistrano: we highly recommend his chocolate éclair with Grand Marnier custard filling; and his profiteroles, a yummy trio of puff pastry served with local, organic ice creams.

When he’s not riding the (stovetop) range, Pratt pursues
his other passions as a graphic artist and avid surfer.

Welcome!

The Station House Cafe has been serving the
West Marin community
and visitors to this stretch of the California coast since 1974. In that time,
the cafe has drawn rave reviews from Gourmet
and others

Click here to make
a reservation.

We offer American cuisine, using fresh local, organic and sustainable ingredients, supporting local farmers and harvesting from our own gardens when the season allows.   We are open seven days a week, for breakfast, lunch and dinner (open at 11AM on Tues,. Weds and Thurs). Full bar, garden dining, and live music Thursdays and Sundays.

We also can help you   plan your private party or special event—everything from business retreats to weddings and receptions.
Just visit our Special Events page for details.

Drop by—the coffee's hot! 

And don't forget to visit us for Pub Night every Thursday with $3 pints & wines at $5 a glass. Live Music every Thursday.  No  cover charge. 

Contact Us!

Walk-ins are always welcome, but reservations are recommended and can be made in person,
by calling (415) 663-1515 or by visiting Open Table (opentable.com).

Please contact us anytime! We look forward to welcoming you.

The Station House Cafe is located at 11180 State Route One
in the heart of downtown Pt. Reyes Station. 

Proprietor: Sheryl Cahill

Chef: Wayne Pratt 

Office manager: Mark Sheff