Otto Nielson discovered his two new loves at New Saint Andrews College, where he was pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Classical Liberal Arts and Culture. The first new love was Bethany, now his wife. The second was the art of creating a symphony for the palate. It began with an elective in Aesthetic Gastronomy. That led to an apprenticeship in Culinary Arts under French Chef Francis Foucachon.

After working in restaurants specializing in Northwest cuisine, Otto has arrived at the RimRock Inn Restaurant, where he will add an element of Basque cuisine, as well as a special expertise on wine selection.

Having been raised on the family ranch in Northeast Washington, Otto looks forward to life on the edge of the deep canyons of Northeast Oregon. Otto finds inspiration from his wife Bethany, an artist and teacher, and their very young son, Bredon, who will eat anything.