Curtis Pieratt
The Short Story of a Long, Interesting Life
Hi there — I’m Curtis Pieratt, 64 years young, semi-retired (but never really idle), and living the good life in sunny, surfy Santa Cruz, California. After nearly four decades slinging food and good vibes across the globe — from beach shacks to full-on restaurants — I finally hung up my apron, sold my last shop, and decided it was time to play. Spoiler alert: I’m good at it.
Now, I spend my days doing the things I love: woodworking, surfing, playing competitive beach volleyball (yes, really), cooking up great meals, fishing, camping, and occasionally just watching the fog roll in with a good cup of coffee. I may be retired, but my curiosity is still clocked in full time. I spent 18 years adventuring around the world — Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Venezuela, the Caribbean, and beyond — collecting unforgettable memories, friendships, and probably a few stamps that customs officials couldn’t believe were real. I came back to the U.S. at 35, but the explorer in me never unpacked.
One of my biggest passions now? Working with wood — and not just any wood, but ancient, mystical, straight-out-of-a-fantasy-novel Redwood burl. If you’ve never seen a Redwood in person, drop what you’re doing and go. They’re towering, majestic, soul-shaking beings. No picture does them justice — they’re basically California’s answer to cathedrals. I create one-of-a-kind pieces using salvaged redwood (some as old as 2,000 years!), black acacia, birds-eye maple, olive wood, madrone, purpleheart, and more — each slab with a story, each piece with a purpose. I market these locally, mostly through online platforms, and sometimes with a handshake and a story.
Before all this, I was deep in the hospitality world, running restaurants from scratch. I’ve got a culinary degree and a serious love for good food, good health, and good conversation. I’m passionate about real connection, spontaneous road trips, and keeping life both meaningful and lighthearted. Now that I’ve traded the restaurant hustle for Redwood sawdust, I’m wide open to what’s next — and loving every minute of it.
Catch me in Soquel, on the beach, or somewhere in the forest with a chainsaw, a surfboard, or a spatula.
Cheers!
Hi there — I’m Curtis Pieratt, 64 years young, semi-retired (but never really idle), and living the good life in sunny, surfy Santa Cruz, California. After nearly four decades slinging food and good vibes across the globe — from beach shacks to full-on restaurants — I finally hung up my apron, sold my last shop, and decided it was time to play. Spoiler alert: I’m good at it.
Now, I spend my days doing the things I love: woodworking, surfing, playing competitive beach volleyball (yes, really), cooking up great meals, fishing, camping, and occasionally just watching the fog roll in with a good cup of coffee. I may be retired, but my curiosity is still clocked in full time. I spent 18 years adventuring around the world — Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Venezuela, the Caribbean, and beyond — collecting unforgettable memories, friendships, and probably a few stamps that customs officials couldn’t believe were real. I came back to the U.S. at 35, but the explorer in me never unpacked.
One of my biggest passions now? Working with wood — and not just any wood, but ancient, mystical, straight-out-of-a-fantasy-novel Redwood burl. If you’ve never seen a Redwood in person, drop what you’re doing and go. They’re towering, majestic, soul-shaking beings. No picture does them justice — they’re basically California’s answer to cathedrals. I create one-of-a-kind pieces using salvaged redwood (some as old as 2,000 years!), black acacia, birds-eye maple, olive wood, madrone, purpleheart, and more — each slab with a story, each piece with a purpose. I market these locally, mostly through online platforms, and sometimes with a handshake and a story.
Before all this, I was deep in the hospitality world, running restaurants from scratch. I’ve got a culinary degree and a serious love for good food, good health, and good conversation. I’m passionate about real connection, spontaneous road trips, and keeping life both meaningful and lighthearted. Now that I’ve traded the restaurant hustle for Redwood sawdust, I’m wide open to what’s next — and loving every minute of it.
Catch me in Soquel, on the beach, or somewhere in the forest with a chainsaw, a surfboard, or a spatula.
Cheers!
Freewood Bloom by Curtis Pieratt
2025
Approx. 32” x 36”
Handcrafted Redwood Table
Live Edge Functional Art
$1425 (SOLD)
2025
Approx. 32” x 36”
Handcrafted Redwood Table
Live Edge Functional Art
$1425 (SOLD)
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