In the hands of today’s bartenders, the Rum Runner lives on — not by erasing its humble, haphazard origins, but by leaning into them.

A chance encounter with Jean-Claude Berrouet, the technical director for Christian Moueix's legendary Château Petrus, led to Melka working for the Moueix-owned Dominus in California in 1991..This was his first time in the U.S., and he knew about ten words in English, but he managed.

After work was complete at Dominus, he did a stint at Ridge with Paul Draper.When Draper was away on weekends, his home (and hot tub) were available to Philippe, who hit it off with a gorgeous lab technician, Cherie.Philippe spoke very little English, but Cherie spoke plenty of French—.

Between Dominus and returning to work for Moueix in France, there were jobs at Badio O Coltibuono in Chianti in Tuscany, Italy, and Chittering Estate in Australia.But when he'd returned to work for Château Prieuré Lichine in Bordeaux, it was on yet another work break that he'd had enough of the French work ethic—which mostly centered around breaks.

He proposed marriage to Cherie; she accepted.

"We had nothing else to do!"coarsely chopped leeks.

, dark green parts only (from 1 medium leek).stemmed and coarsely chopped green Swiss chard (from 1 bunch chard).

packed fresh baby spinach.plus 1 teaspoon white miso.