Sam Shelton, our General Manager & Executive Chef started at Passatempo in 2017, when the restaurant was only one year old.
Sam's culinary background is French trained until she took the helm at this Italian Taverna to sling pasta and rustic fare. Having traveled many places and worked in numerous Michelin restaurants, Walla Walla was always home. Sam has returned to stay and will continue to lead Passatempo in success for years to come.
Sam is a proud Mom to Weston, KEXP amplifier because 'music matters', a caring leader and devoted friend to all.
Robert, our Wine Director, joined Passatempo Taverna in 2019.
In that same year, he passed his Advanced Sommelier exam (Court of Master Sommeliers) and graduated with a degree in Enology and Viticulture from WWCC aka “the CC”. He has worked the floor and behind the bar at a number of great establishments in Seattle including; Lark, Tallulah's, Montana Bar (in Seattle), Vino Volo and in his last Seattle stint, opened and managed Dino’s Tomato Pie. Previous to his career in wine and hospitality, he’s toured throughout the U.S. and Europe as a musician under his own name and with the likes of Sarah Jaffe, John Grant, Norah Jones, Trespassers William and the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus (long story). Robert has also started his own tiny terrier-driven Walla Walla winery, Hoquetus Wine Company, located in the Airport District.