Grapevine Market

Elis Droubi
General Manager

A Boston-born, Houston-bred food service veteran, Elis Droubi has been with eatZi’s since 1997. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, and a chance lunch at the former eatZi’s location in Houston led him to begin a lengthy career with the company. In 1998, Droubi was part of the team that helped launch eatZi’s operations across the country, and his experience and management skills proved valuable upon his return to Houston and when he moved to Dallas in 2001. Most recently, he served as General Manager at the eatZi’s Lovers Lane location. Elis lives in Frisco with his wife and daughter. When he’s not in the kitchen or assisting guests at eatZi’s, you’re likely to find Elis on the golf course.

Kent West
Executive Chef

Grapevine chef extraordinaire Kent West grew up in Central Texas and graduated from Baylor University. He moved to Dallas in the early 1970s to pursue a variety of interests, including owning an advertising agency. It was inside the ad agency world that Chef West first became fascinated with the culinary arts. He worked at The Food Company under Chef Ben Ivey and in Santa Fe at the Inn of Anasazi. Eventually, he made his way back to Dallas to cook with Dean Fearing at The Mansion on Turtle Creek, where he was an Executive Chef. Chef West later worked at The Landmark inside the Melrose Hotel as a sous chef under Kent Rathbun and George Brown. He has been with eatZi’s for several years and looks forward to stirring up new things in Grapevine. Chef West enjoys traveling with his wife to Arizona to spend time with his three grand children.

Aaron Halford
Head Baker

Aaron Halford’s professional passion has been Artisan Bread Baking from day one of his experience in the working world. He has learned the art and science of Baking from some of the best Bread Bakers in the country, including Peter Nyberg and Michael London. Aaron has worked at some of the most prestigious bread shops in Dallas, such as Empire Baking Co., where he got his start at age 16, and Atlanta at Buckhead Bread Co.

Aaron’s career began when he met the up and coming owner of Empire Baking Co. through his father who was remodeling the house of the owner of the Bakery.   Aaron began doing yard work for the owner and was asked if he would like to work in the Bakery which was about to open in November of 1992. He accepted and began his career in baking. 

Aaron was hired at Central Market in Dallas in 2002 as Bakery Manager where he learned more of the Grocery side of the business and honed in on managing and merchandising skills.  He was there for 9 years and then left to pursue an opportunity in Tyler, Tx. for Brookshire Grocery Co. to open an in-store Bakery concept in 2010.  Aaron is currently the Head Baker at Eatzi’s Market & Bakery in Grapevine,Tx.

Kathy Angelone
Executive Pastry Chef

Born in Dunkirk, New York into a multi-cultural family it is no wonder Kathy Angelone became interested in the culinary arts. Immersed in Puerto Rican and French cultures Kathy became vastly aware of the importance of family and special occasions where everything centerd around a savory meal.

Kathy’s experience is “home-grown”, learning to cook in the family kitchen with her mother; she began to discover her passion for cooking.

Kathy married Joseph Angelone, and began to discover the rustic dishes of Italy. The Angelone family moved to Dallas, Texas in 1974 where she continued to broaden her culinary skills.

Kathy began to work in the bakery and deli departments of the grocery industry in 1979.  Her vast experience awarded her recognition as Bakery Manager of the Year in 2006 and
Most Valuable Team Leader in 2010.

In April of 2012 Kathy joined the Eatzi’s team, where she continues to create fine pastries, encourage employees and train new team players.