Our Team

We are hospitality professionals who believe a great restaurant is about more than what’s on the plate. From the freshness of the seafood to the warmth of the welcome, every detail is considered with our guests’ experience in mind. Our goal is simple: serve exceptional food and drinks in a place that feels comfortable, thoughtful, and genuinely hospitable.

Daniel Kaufman

Daniel Kaufman is a partner and Wine Director of The Hideaway and a longtime Charlottesville restaurateur with more than two decades of experience in hospitality. He is the founder and owner of Public Fish & Oyster and co-owner of Black Cow Chophouse, as well as the former co-founder and owner of BottleHouse. His previous ventures also include Pronto! and Public West Pub & Oyster Bar in Crozet. A certified sommelier with a longstanding passion for wine, food, and genuine hospitality, Daniel brings years of experience building restaurants that balance thoughtful beverage programs, quality ingredients, approachable dining, and warm, attentive service. At The Hideaway, he oversees the wine program while helping shape a restaurant that reflects the same commitment to hospitality and memorable dining that has defined his work throughout the Charlottesville area.

Partner and Wine Director

Jay Gutierrez

Chef Gutierrez brings nearly a decade of Charlottesville restaurant experience to The Hideaway, having built his career from the ground up after relocated to Charlottesville from the Philippines. Beginning in some of the most introductory positions in the kitchen, Jay steadily worked his way through increasingly demanding roles, gaining experience at restaurants including Miller’s, South Street Brewery, Kama, and South & Central. Over the years, he developed his skills across nearly every aspect of kitchen operations, ultimately advancing from dishwasher and line-level positions to Sous Chef and, now, Head Chef. His path reflects a strong work ethic, a deep respect for the craft, and a practical understanding of what it takes to lead a successful kitchen. Jay has a passion caring for bonsai plants and for fishing.

Head Chef

Manager and Raw Bar Guru

Alex Balbus

Alex’s relationship with oysters spans nearly two decades, beginning with a knife and a raw bar at the Blue Light Grill in downtown Charlottesville. From there, his oyster journey took him north, where he opened and ran oyster bars in Philadelphia and New Jersey before eventually finding his way back home. In 2013, Alex returned to Charlottesville to build the raw bar at Public Fish & Oyster, bringing years of experience and a deep appreciation for the craft to the restaurant. After some time away, he came back to Public Fish & Oyster in 2022. He continues to share his passion for oysters, seafood, and the art of the raw bar.

Partner and Consulting Chef

Johnny Garver

Charlottesville native Johnny Garver built his culinary career in some of the area’s most respected kitchens. He developed his fine-dining experience as Sous Chef at both Keswick Hall and the Boar’s Head Inn before stepping into his first lead kitchen role at Parallel 38. He later partnered with Daniel Kaufman, owner of Public Fish & Oyster, to open Pronto! on the UVA Corner. After serving as Chef de Cuisine at Tavola, one of Charlottesville’s best-known Italian restaurants, Johnny rejoined Kaufman at Public Fish & Oyster, where he now serves as Head Chef. As a partner and culinary consultant at The Hideaway, Johnny brings years of local experience, strong kitchen leadership, and a thoughtful approach to seafood and menu development to the restaurant’s culinary direction.

Sous Chef

“Chevy” Demyers

Chevy began his culinary career around the 2020 lockdown, shortly after relocating to Charlottesville from San Diego, California. Since then, he has built his experience in some of Charlottesville’s well-known kitchens, including Zocalo, Café Frank, and Fleurie, developing a strong appreciation for the city’s food culture and the people who shape it. Young, passionate, and eager to continue growing, Chevy is excited to bring fresh ideas and new perspectives to Charlottesville classics while respecting the traditions that make them special. Outside of the kitchen, he enjoys community tabletop games and making music in his free time, bringing his love of creativity into his work.

Bar Manager