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Q&A With George Barker, Owner of Mayfield in San Juan Capistrano
Photograph by Emily J. Davis
Originally from London, Laguna Beach resident George Barker moved to O.C. to pursue his dream of opening a restaurant.
What led you to opening Mayfield?
I grew up in a family that owned restaurants. My parents opened a restaurant when I was 5. I (grew) up there, helping on Saturdays folding napkins that kind of stuff. I worked at various fine dining restaurants, hotels, and gastropubs. My brother lived (in O.C.) two years before I did. I came out two times before coming up with the idea of opening a food truck (The Hungry Royal). I saw the food truck as a good opportunity to get a visa and look for a restaurant. I can learn how to run a small business, test things, see what it’s like in different areas of Orange County, and see if I want to commit to opening a restaurant. This has been about four years in the planning and the food truck was a step towards it.