TARA MONSOD

EXECUTIVE CHEF OF ANIMAE AND LE COQ

Tara Monsod brings over a decade of kitchen experience, a lifetime of passion, and a culinary perspective shaped by her upbringing as a Filipino-American to her role as Executive Chef of Puffer Malarkey Collective’s Le Coq and ANIMAE in San Diego. Monsod’s culinary journey includes positions at acclaimed San Diego restaurants, including Juniper & Ivy, Herringbone, Burlap, and Mozza.

In summer 2021, Monsod assumed the role of executive chef at ANIMAE, immediately garnering a loyal following and accolades for her reinterpretation of the restaurant’s culinary origins through dishes revelatory of her Southeast Asian heritage. During her tenure, she became a three-time James Beard Award Semifinalist, a testament to her bold culinary voice and leadership. Monsod was later named San Diego’s first-ever James Beard Foundation Best Chef California Finalist in April 2024 — recognition that reflects her commitment to her craft and the supportive, positive environment she’s established to nurture the growth of her team.

Restaurants

ANIMAE

Downtown San Diego

Chef Tara Monsod’s Animae reimagines modern Asian cuisine through a distinctly Californian lens. Set within a dramatic art deco inspired dining room, the menu balances precision and play, drawing from Japanese, Filipino, and Southeast Asian influences while honoring the rhythm of the seasons. A James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef California, Animae is consistently ranked among San Diego’s most celebrated restaurants.

La Jolla

LE COQ

Located in La Jolla Village, Le Coq channels the energy of a 1970s French supper club, where classic technique meets a sense of indulgence and play. The menu moves from dry aged steaks to seafood and richly composed seasonal dishes, layered with subtle Asian influence. Set within a moody, design forward dining room, Le Coq delivers a transportive dining experience that feels both nostalgic and unmistakably of the moment.