Touching Lives Through Food: The Story of Chef Daniel Otto

If you’ve ever dined at the Old Town Junction or Sidecar Market in Newhall, you’ve had the pleasure of experiencing culinary excellence at the hands of Chef Daniel Otto, the head chef and resident food expert of the establishment. With more than 25 years of experience in the culinary world, Chef Otto has learned a thing or two about how to use his skills to serve his community and share his passion for food in the process.
Chef Otto has always known this was the career for him; after getting his first taste (literally) of the industry in high school, he moved to the Bay Area and attended culinary school at the California Culinary Academy, after which he officially entered the world of hospitality and cuisine.
It’s not just about making good food, though. For him, it’s about the connections, community, and closeness that come from the power of what food can do. That’s why, for Chef Otto, the richest part of what he does lies in how many different lives he touches in the field of hospitality as a whole.
“When you work in hospitality, you reach people who are at all different stages of their paths—the beginning, middle, and end,” he shares. “You have the power to make a change in the lives of those who are at the very best or very worst of times—the most significant moments.”
Chef Otto takes particular pride in the role he plays in the SCV community outside of the Junction. He’s highly active in community outreach efforts, including heading fundraisers and teaching at College of the Canyons as a renowned instructor at the Culinary Institute. In addition, he regularly lends his time and efforts to the Child and Family Center, Carousel Ranch, the Wish Foundation, and FeedSCV, just to name a few.
“It’s very gratifying to be able to do so many great things through food, and to not only support my community but enjoy their support as well,” he says.
When he’s not at work, Chef Otto enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids, and searching for their next great travel destination. Fitness is also a big part of his lifestyle, and he has a particular interest in extreme sports.
Of course, Chef Otto’s love of food extends far beyond the end of his workday. His heart lies in the food scene, regardless of the city, town, state, or country he’s in at the moment. Whether he’s the one in the kitchen or the customer being waited on, he never misses an opportunity to experience life to the fullest through diverse cuisine and all that it has to offer.
“What I do doesn’t feel like ‘work’,” he admits. “I love what I do.”
Chef Otto’s advice to aspiring chefs, hospitality workers, and up-and-coming business people is simple: work hard, pave the road for yourself, and you’ll reap the rewards when the time comes. That’s the mantra he’s followed his whole life, and now he’s ready to pass his wisdom on to the next generation of culinary connoisseurs and entrepreneurs alike.
The Old Town Junction and Sidecar Market are located at 24275 Main Street, in downtown Newhall.

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