Welcome to Cress 386.734.3740
Looking For Gift Certificates?
We are now pleased to offer gift certificates online (via SquareUp) in two denominations: $50 and $100. Here is a link to purchase these gift cards
You may also call us at 386.734.3740 or stop by the restaurant during operating hours and we are happy to help you obtain a wonderful gift.
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Our Food Stamp Challanges
Jenneffer and Hari Pulapaka are taking the Food Stamp Challenge for 26 days during the month of May 2014. The Challenge will include living on a budget of $4.20 per person per day. We will report on our experience via Blog which will be updated periodically. We are not preaching, but we want to practice what we are preaching when it comes to making changes that will improve our food systems. Here is a link to our daily posts during this challenge: 2014 Food Stamp Challenge Blog
We also took the Food Stamp Challenge during July 1-6, 2013. This time we emphasized eating healthy and fresh ingredients. Here is a link to the blog: Jenneffer and Hari Healthy Food Stamp Challenge. In 2012, during Hunger Action Month in September, we took the same challenge but did not emphasize the use of fresh and locally sourced ingrediensts. Here is an account of last year's experience: Cress-DeLand Foot and Leg Center Food Stamp Challenge.
Would You Like To Receive Weekly Updates?
Every week, Chef Pulapaka personally sends an update to all subscribers about special events, weekend specials, and recipes. If you are interested, please sign-up for the Cress Newsletter. We strongly believe that food and wine are meant to be enjoyed with family and friends. Every week in our newsletter, we share a “recipe” either from the Cress Menu, a Cooking Class, or just something that we hope you will enjoy, try, and most importantly, make your own. Please check back each week for new inpirations and recipes..
About Us
Cress Restaurant is an exciting independent restaurant that debuted in Historic Downtown DeLand, FL in August 2008. Cress is owned and operated by Hari and Jenneffer Pulapaka and supported by a dedicated and talented staff. Chef Hari Pulapaka is a three-time (2014, 2013, 2011) James Beard Semifinalist for Best Chef-South, a two-time (2013 and 2012) Food & Wine Magazine's nominee for the top 100 People's Best New Chef, and is also an active, tenured Associate Professor of Mathematics at Stetson University and Dr. Jenneffer Pulapaka (General Manager and Wine Director) is also a podiatric surgeon who owns her own private medical practice The DeLand Foot and Leg Center. Hari, Jenneffer, and the entire Cress Staff are tirelessly re-inventing the cuisine, service, and overall dining experience at Cress.
The March to 100!
We frequently share original recipes because we beleive that all good things in life are meant to be shared. "March to 100" is Chef Pulapaka's personal goal to share at least 100 recipes. Here are Chef Pulapaka's Recipes to date.
Wine at Cress
Follow our exciting new feature where we offer great midweek specials on wine and celebrate the enoyment of pairing them with food! Follow Wine At Cress
News and Events
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Lesser Seafood Dinner
TUESDAY, JULY 29th, 6:30-9:00 pm
We are very excited to showcase the "lesser" bounty from our waters. Our special guest will include Sheila Bowman, from Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program. Hope to see you there.: Lesser Seafood Dinner (Menu and Information)
Buy Tickets Online -
Foraging Road Trip to the James Beard House
We are undertaking a one-of-a kind road trip to cook a very special dinner at the James Beard House. The dinner at the Beard House is on Tuesday, June 3rd. Here is a link with more information: Beard House Dinner (Menu and Information) -
It's official! We are the first Florida restaurant to be a restaurant partner with Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch Program. By doing so, we are committing to continue sourcing only seafood from Environmentally Responsible Sources as defined by the Monterey Bay Aquarium®. We understand that there are other notable and valuable agencies who "police" our oceans and we also understand that no one organization can possibly know everything or be completely updated in their data. However, this is an important first step in our complete and unequivocal commitment to be as thoughtful as we can possibly be about this issue. Seafood forms the most popular items on our menus and we will continue to create tasty dishes from the best available ingredients. It is a journey we are proud of. -
Another James Beard Award Semifinalist Recognition
Chef Pulapaka is proud to have been selected for the third time as a semi-finalist for the prestigious James Beard Foundation - Best Chef South award. Here is a link with all the semifinalists for 2014.Orlando Sentinel Critic's Choice Best Overall
For the second year in a row, Cress was honoured by Heather McPherson, the Food Editor of the Orlando Sentinel as her choice for the Best Overall Restaurant in Central Florida. Congratulations to The Ravenous Pig and Luma on Park for sharing this honour. Here is a link with all the winners.Cress Hosts First Central Florida JBF-CAN Salon
On January 20-21, Cress co-hosted the first ever Boot Camp and Salon by the James Beard Foundation and Chef Action Neteork at beautiful Lake Meadow Naturals farm. For the very first time, we helped convene a wide variety of influential chefs, food writers, farmers, and others to help think thourgh ways in which we can improve our food system. Go #SunshinePlate. Here are recaps of the event by Heather McPherson of the Orlando Sentinel and Scott Joseph of Scott Joseph Orlando -
Monterey Bay Seafood Watch Blue Ribbon Task Force
Hari and Jenneffer Pulapaka are proud to serve on the national Blue Ribbon Task Force of the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch Program. Here is more about The Blue Ribbon Task Force And Its Full List of Participants -
Sunday Farm dinner at Tomazin Farms
On Sunday, February 16th, we hosted a very special Sunday Dinner at Tomazin Farms in Samsula. Many of the ingredients were be harvested from or near the farm. This was the 4th Farm Dinner for Cress in recent months -
Lesser Florida Seafood Dinner
We are constantly trying to improve our ability to source ingredients that are sustainable and fresh. On Tuesday, November 12th, we partnered with Mike and Tony's Seafood to showcase a wide variety of Florida seafood options that are often overlooked or discarded in lieu of staples and often overfished options. -
Dr. Jenneffer Pulapaka Recognized!
Dr Jenneffer Pulapaka who runs her own medical private practice The DeLand Foot and Leg Center and is also the Wine Director, Manager, and Co-Owner of Cress was recently named one of The Most Influential Women in Business for 2013 by the Volusia-Flagler Business Report! We are proud of her accomplishments and recognition! -
James Beard Foundation Chef's Boot Camp
Chef Hari Pulapaka was as one of 15 chefs nationwide to partcipate in the first official Chef's Boot Camp for policy and change hosted by The James Beard Foundation in Louisville, KY during May 12-14, 2013. For more information, please visit the JBF's official page for this event. -
Cress and ZAGAT
Cress was rated the Top Restaurant in Central Florida in the new Zagat Orlando Guide. Here is more information in an Official Zagat Blog
