Meet the Chefs
Elmer Santos
Executive Chef at Papa Haydn Northwest
Born in Guatemala, Elmer came to the United States in 1994, joining the Papa Haydn team shortly after as a dish washer. While he had no formal training, Elmer's passion for food started when he was a child and would cook meals with and for his family. When a position in the kitchen opened, Elmer got to show off his skills and learn new ones. He became the Chef de Cuisine at our sister restaurant Jo Bar & Rotisserie in 2001, and then became Executive Chef for both Papa Haydn Northwest and Jo Bar & Rotisserie in 2018 where he creates inspired, elegant, and beautifully delicious dishes.
John Rogers
Executive Chef at Papa Haydn Sellwood
After studying acting and performing arts at Western Oregon University, John he applied for a job at Papa Haydn, where he remembered coming as a teenager to have dessert after prom, in 2012. He discovered his passion for cooking, and learned he could fulfill his need for creativity and could create something that brought smiles to his community. As the years passed, he was able to learn from great teachers and start taking on more responsibilities. In 2016, John became the sous chef at our Sellwood location, moving up to Executive Chef in 2020.
Ashley Wilson
Head Pastry Chef, Wedding & Custom Desserts
After receiving degrees in Communications and Humanities from Western Oregon University and Patisserie and Baking from Le Cordon Bleu, Ashley pursued a career that would combine her love of event planning and the culinary arts. She joined the Papa Haydn team as Lead Pastry Chef for all custom orders in 2012, working one-on-one with clients for over 10 years. As a 5th generation Oregonian, Ashley finds joy in celebrating milestones with local families, whether it be a Smash Cake for a 1st birthday, an intricate tiered wedding cake, or a spread of miniature desserts.