Born in Upland, California and raised in rural Hunterdon County, NJ, Justin Smillie’s early environment informed the kind of chef he is today, one with a passion for the bounty of local farms, bold flavors, and the simple expression of extraordinary ingredients. The menu of Upland will combine the casual, fresh culture of California cuisine with Smillie’s signature, rustic, seasonal accents that gained him critical and popular acclaim at Il Buco Alimentari (including three stars from The New York Times).