Jody Kropf grew up with one foot on a tractor and one foot in the kitchen. By age 12 he was splitting his days working hard in his parent’s restaurant, the Brownsville General Store, and growing a deep connection to the land by working on his uncle’s farm. The youngest in a large family surrounded by brothers, sisters and cousins Jody often took any dare that came his way. Undaunted by a challenge he’d be first to jump off a giant rock when prompted. So when it came time to pick a career it wasn't surprising it was his cousin who suggested he take the leap to follow his culinary dreams. 

After studying at the Western Culinary Institute he got his first professional start at the Heathman Hotel in Portland. Soon after that he took an exciting job as a personal chef. Cooking and sailing off a yacht from Nova Scotia to the warm waters of the Caribbean. He had the opportunity to expand and delight his tastebuds by experiencing regional favorites all over North America. He completed his culinary education at the famed Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena, California where he met his lovely wife Michelle.

Michelle grew up in the beautiful wine region of Northern California. She was a Napa Valley girl busy studying to become an Occupational Therapist when she met Jody. Together they dined and sipped all over the world falling in love and dreaming of a day when they would open their own little taste of wine country. 

Taking his bride back home to Oregon the duo settled in Dundee where there was enough city for the misses and enough country for the boy. Here the ten year dream of creating a casual and inviting community market took shape. With the help of longtime friends Gary and Marcia Rohweder dreams started becoming a reality and the building of RHM began.  Jody wanted a restaurant where you could pull up in your truck after a long day of work, perhaps even a little dirt on your jeans, and be greeted by the warm sound of laughter and music, to enjoy an evening of great food with good friends. Taking inspiration from farmers and local artisans Red Hills Market celebrates the bounty of local and seasonal ingredients by sharing them with the community they call home.

MICHELLE KROPF

what’s your go to morning drink? 8oz double americano, light on the water - delicious!

how long have you been in the industry? what was your first industry job? My first job was in the industry at New York bages in Napa, California at 16 years old - I still dream of their fresh bagels, with a house lox spread sprouts & tomato - soo good! Prior to opening RHM ~ I worked as a pediatric occupational therapist. It’s been a wonderful, wild ride learning this industry!

what’s your favorite cocktail to make? g&t - preferably with botanist gin, mediterranean fever tree tonic & lots of lime

what’s your favorite movie of all time? footloose (love me some kevin bacon)

f you were stranded on an island, and you can only take one item, what would it be? jody kropf - he’s the best hunter and gatherer I know

Jody kropf

what are three kitchen tools you can’t do without? bench scrapper, cast iron skillet, japanese mandolin

what’s your signature dish? osso bunco on polenta

you get to pick someone to eat brunch with, dead or alive, fictional or historical. who is it and why? the wifey - she can brunch like no other :)

how long have you been in the industry? what was your first industry job? 37 years - I started at 12 making sandwiches and serving at my parents restaurant & wrapping meat for chucky’s butcher shop

what’s your least favorite drink to make? anything blended - because shaken or stirred tastes better and isn’t so loud