About

Meet Rodney Worth

SERVING DANVILLE SINCE 2003

Growing up in Northern California, Rodney Worth knew from an early age that he was destined for a career in the food world. Whether it was making an apple pie from scratch at the age of 10 or grilling sausages at a ball game with friends in high school, Rodney was always trying out new recipes for friends and wearing that famous welcoming smile.

His first job in the food industry was with Taco Bell, but Rod quickly realized this was not for him. After joining a local grocery chain, Rod learned important business aspects of the food industry but knew this didn’t feel right either. Soon, Rodney decided to learn how to develop the concept of “Good food that makes you feel good” by pursuing his Culinary Arts degree from Diablo Valley College.

As his career began to take shape, Rodney became passionate about using quality ingredients and going the extra distance for flavor. While working at Wente Vineyards, these principles, coupled with the impeccable professional environment he found there, created the foundation of his career as a chef. Rodney worked tirelessly to hone his culinary skills by catering for friends and family. The creative tour-de-force named Rodney Worth was taking flight.

Rodney’s next move took him to San Francisco and the famous eatery Bizou (Coco 500.) Instantly, Rodney found himself in the high-fashion world of cooking for celebrities and dignitaries while sharing the kitchen with acclaimed Chef Loretta Keller. His time there taught him a fast-paced and high-energy cooking style with a Mediterranean flair.

By 2004, the entrepreneurial spirit had taken hold, and Rodney opened The Peasant and The Pear in a small plaza space in San Ramon, California. He soon had crowds lining up outside the door for the unforgettable lunches and dinner service. His menu was exciting and innovative. His customers were wowed. In 2006, he moved the restaurant to a larger location in Danville, California, and garnered the first of his Diablo Magazine “Best of” awards capturing the “Best New Restaurant of 2006.”

Since then, the love for Chef Rodney’s food and his restaurants has grown exponentially, partly due to his infectious laugh as he chats with diners at their table, partly because of his intuitive culinary skills and creativity. In 2008, Rodney again won a “Best of” award, this time for Diablo’s “Best Chef of the East Bay.” Since then, he’s practically had a stranglehold on the Diablo Magazine award, as well as awards, accolades, and media coverage from Michelin, Zagat and many other high-profile publications including Bon Appetít magazine that came knocking on Rodney’s door wanting to feature his signature lamb shank recipe. Word of his celebrated food travels far and wide.

Currently, Rodney owns and operates 4 local eateries: The Peasant & The Pear in Danville (since 2002), and The Peasant’s Courtyard in Alamo (since 2009), The Little Pear in Walnut Creek (since 2023) and The Bourbon Pear in Livermore (opening end of 2024).

Rodney lives in Danville where Chef Rodney actively supports his community by donating food and time, as well as creating a love of cooking among the students of Danville and San Ramon area schools.