AZMIN GHAHREMAN
OWNER
SAPPHIRE CULINARY GROUP
WHY: Chef and restauranteur born in Iran, raised in Europe. Longtime owner of Sapphire Restaurant in Laguna Beach, a highly acclaimed spot along Coast Highway which he sold in early 2020. Now runs other catering, food-for- office businesses.
NOTABLE: Well-known in OC’s philanthropic circles. In 2008, founded Sapphire at School, an innovative school lunch program currently partnered with nine schools in Orange County, which feeds more than 5K students daily. Most recent commercial venture Blue Stone Kitchen offers families throughout OC affordable meal delivery services.
QUOTABLE: “Remember the day you were born you were crying and everyone around you was laughing. Live such a life that the day you leave, you are smiling and everyone around you will be crying.”
