our roots
EATERY 66 IS A FAMILY RESTAURANT RUN BY A LOVING HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM
Their story and journey begins in the beautiful city of Charleston where Spencer was completing his years at The Culinary Institute of Charleston and Katie at the College of Charleston. After graduation, they moved to the opposite coast to San Diego where Spencer worked at some of the top restaurants in the city including Laurel and The Wine Cellar and Brasserie under Chef Jason Schaeffer. From San Diego they moved to Telluride, Colorado where he worked at the acclaimed Allred’s, as sous chef of La Marmotte and then helped open The New Sheridan Chop House as Executive Sous Chef.
In the fall 2004, Spencer had the amazing opportunity to work as a stagier at Per Se under three-star Michelin chef Thomas Keller whom he continues to draw inspiration and motivation from in all in his fine and finesse work.
Oceans called them back and in 2005 they moved to Santa Teresa, Costa Rica where they got married and began an even greater chapter of their lives, having three boys and enjoying life on the beach. As Executive chef, Spencer ran and operated the kitchen for 8 years at the top luxury hotel in Costa Rica, Florblanca. This elite boutique hotel specializes in the serving only the highest quality and freshest local ingredients to their guests to create the most outstanding meals for their stay. Elaborate 5-10 course chef's tasting menus were a top choice for many which highlighted Spencer's talents and passion for food. From freshly caught fish, to their own organic garden, the exceptional food was the highlight to their elite guests.
Katie was the wedding coordinator and designer at Florblanca for multiple weddings from romantic elopements to 100 person elaborate celebrations. Together as a team, with their eye for detail and efforts towards perfection, their clients expectations were always surpassed and beautiful and memorable weddings were created.
In 2012, they bid a beautiful farewell to an amazing experience and moved back to the calling mountains of the San Juan’s and found home in Ridgway.
Upon returning to the area, Spencer helped open as the Executive Chef another locals favorite, The Angler Inn in nearby Placerville. There he built many relationships with local farmers and ran a booth at The Telluride Farmers Market in the summer of 2014.
With a passion to farm to table cuisine, Spencer and Katie took another chance in 2015 and bought a 1966 airstream to create their own passion project of bringing local, homespun meals to the small community of Ridgway. Their passion grew and so did the support and within three years they had outgrown their airstream and moved to a brick and mortar restaurant nearby. Eatery 66 has continued to live strong in the hearts and memories of many sharing community vibes, local food, special memories for passerby tourists and a special gathering place in the heart of Ridgway with sweeping views of our blessed Cimmaron Mountains.
In January 2026 they opened their second location in a special 1910 historic building in downtown Montrose with the help of passionate landowners, the support of the city of Montrose and some amazingly talented staff by their side. Their intention for their new endeavor in Montrose remains the same; create a community hub for gathering, memories, special events and always local food made with love. They look forward to many years sustaining the restaurant in heart of Ridgway as well as growing their new business in Montrose.
The Graves family now can be found either at the local skatepark, atop a mountain, surfing a wave, traveling the globe with their three talented boys, at home on their land in Montrose or smiling and serving guests at Eatery 66. Their oldest son is following in his fathers footsteps and is at his first year of culinary school at San Diego Mesa College. The middle son has marked his way as one of the top vert skateboarders in the world and at the young age of 16 has traveled the world as a pro skateboarding, taking his humility and passion of growing up on the western slope with him on his Olympic journey. The youngest brother Tristan is a close shadow in all his brothers footsteps, also a pro skateboarder and all around competitive athlete. From mountains to oceans, this family continues to grow and push themselves to the limits. There latest collaboration with accredited film maker Brett Schreckengost will bring them to a new level of artist partnership as they developed their short film now taking it actions sports film festivals around the world including Florida Surf Film Festival and the acclaimed High Five Film Festival in Annecy, France.
Their partnership thrives off of adventure, experiences, life and love of family. Their food speaks of their memories, those that have been created by others in the past and those they wish to create for their children and others in the future. Food has always been a deep rooted connection they share and this adventure has been a long awaited dream. Their balance between healthy and comfort food aims to provide a beautiful experience for the local community and beyond. We are excited for the new road ahead and looking forward to serving Ridgway and Montrose for many years to come. Be Good. Live Simple. Eat Well.
